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Luoyang Tour of
Shaolin Temple
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Shaolin Temple, in the region of Song
Mountain, Dengfeng City, Henan Province, is reputed to be 'the
Number One Temple under Heaven'. The temple is the cradle of the
Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts such as Shaolin
Cudgel. One can see wild flowers and pines on the mountain. With
birds singing and a brook spattering, a beautiful scene full of life
and vitality is revealed to the visitors.
Shaolin Temple embraces many exciting attractions, such
as the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian), the Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian),
the Pagoda Forest, the Dharma Cave and the Shaolin Temple Martial
Art Training Center. Visitors may follow the virtual guide about the
Shaolin Temple.
First we see the Shanmen Hall. Hung on its top is a
tablet reading 'Shaolin Temple'. The tablet was inscribed by the
Emperor Kangxi (1622 - 1723) during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
Under the stairs of the hall crouches two stone lions made in the
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The hall enshrines the Maitreya Buddha.
Two sides of the corridor behind the hall's gate are paved with
inscriptions on stone steles made during several different
dynasties.
Next we arrive at the Hall of Heavenly Kings. The gate
of the hall is guarded by two figures depicting Vajra (Buddhist
warrior attendants). Inside the hall are figures of the Four
Heavenly Kings who are responsible for inspecting peoples' behavior,
helping the troubled, and blessing the people.
Then we come to the Mahavira Hall. The complex's center
is right before your eyes. Both important celebrations and regular
prayers are held here. 18 Buddhist Arhats stand along the eastern
and the southern walls of the hall. Buddhas of the Middle, East and
West are enshrined in this hall, respectively Sakyamuni Buddha,
Pharmacist Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. Figures of Kingnaro (the
founder of Shaolin Cudgel) and Dharma (the founder of Chinese Zen
Buddhism) stand beside those three Buddhas, a placement which is
very different from other Mahavira Halls. At the feet of the pillars
in this Mahavira Hall are stone lions that are more than one meter
(about 3.33 feet) high. On the ground there are about 50 small pits,
20 centimeters (about 7.87 inches) deep. It is said that they are
the footprints left by monks when they practiced Shaolin Martial
Arts.
Unexpectedly, we come to the Pagoda Forest, a graveyard
for Buddhist dignitaries through the ages. On average, the pagodas
are less than 15 meters (about 49 feet) high. The layer and the
shape of a pagoda depend on many factors, such as one's Buddhist
status, attainment and prestige during his lifetime. The Pagoda
Forest in Shaolin Temple is the largest of China's pagoda complexes.
Outside the temple we continue walking to the
northwest, and then we will take a look at two monasteries, named
the Ancestor's Monastery and the Second Ancestor's Monastery. The
first monastery is built by a Dharma's disciple to commemorate
Dharma's nine years of meditation in a cave. It has a big hall
supported by 16 stone pillars on whose shafts are exquisitely carved
warriors, dancing dragons and phoenixes. The second monastery is a
nursing home of the second ancestor Huike who cut his left arm in
order to show his sincerity to study Buddhism from Dharma. In front
of the monastery are four springs created by Dharma to help Huike to
fetch water easily. They are called 'Spring Zhuoxi' and each has its
own distinctive flavor.
The cave we see next is the Dharma Cave. In this cave
Dharma patiently faced the wall and meditated for 9 years. Finally,
he reached the immortal spiritual state and created the Buddhist
Zen. The cave is seven meters deep (about 23 feet) and three meters
high (about 9.8 feet). Many stone inscriptions are carved on both
its sides. There is a Meditating Stone in the cave. It is said
Dharma's shadow was reflected upon the stone and embedded on it
because of the long time of his meditation facing the wall.
Unfortunately the stone was ruined during the war.
After passing the Dharma Cave, we come to the Buddhist
Living Quarters for transient monks. It is on the south bank of the
Shaoxi River opposite the temple. First built in 1512 of the Ming
Dynasty, it was repaired in the Qing Dynasty. The quarters are noted
for the simple and distinctive design. It collapsed in 1958 and then
repaired in 1993.
The Shaolin Temple Wushu (Martial Arts) Training Center
comes last. Its perfect scenery makes it an ideal place for
practicing the Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu. Shaolin monks have been
practicing Kung Fu for over 1,500 years. The system was invented by
Dharma who taught the monks basic methods to improve their health
and defend themselves. The Martial art performance shows the true
Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu. For example, Tong Zi Gong, performed by
teenagers, is a kind of martial art to train one's flexibility and
strength.
In a word, Shaolin Temple is worthy of a visit. It will
give you a better understanding of Chinese Buddhism and the martial
arts.
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