Four Buddhist Holy Places in China

The four Buddhist holy places in China: Wutai Mountain in Shanxi, Putuo Mountain in Zhejiang, Emei Mountain in Sichuan and Jiuhua Mountain in Anhui are the Dojo of Manjusri Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Earth-stored Bodhisattva respectively.

Jiuhuashan, Anhui 1

Jiuhua Mountain, called Jiuzishan in ancient times, is located in Qingyang County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a national natural and cultural heritage site. Jiuhua Mountain is not only a Taoist shrine, but also a Buddhist shrine. The description of Buddhism here is the integration of Confucianism and Taoism. According to legend, it is the Dojo of the Bodhisattva Dizang, which enshrines an open-air bronze statue of the Bodhisattva Dizang. The Tibetan Bodhisattva symbolizes "great desire" and the meaning of universal life. Therefore, it is more effective to seek good health and eliminate diseases and disasters here.

2. Wutai Mountain in Shanxi

Wutai Mountain, located in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, is a national 5A scenic spot, a national natural and cultural heritage, and one of the five Buddhist holy places in the world. Wutai Mountain has five peaks, all of which are higher than Yun Biao. The peak is relatively flat and open, like a platform, hence the name Wutai Mountain. There are dense forests and many temples on the mountain, which has been a holy place for people to worship Buddha since ancient times. Mount Wutai is dedicated to Manjusri Bodhisattva, symbolizing "great wisdom", so it is more effective to climb Mount Wutai for wisdom.

3. Mount Emei in Sichuan

Mount Emei, located in Emei City, Sichuan Province, is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a world cultural and natural heritage site. The highest peak is the Wanfo Temple, with an altitude of 3099 meters. Mount Emei is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, long Buddhist cultural history and unique geological features, and has the reputation of "Emei is the best in the world".

It is said that Buddhism was introduced into Mount Emei in the 1 century, and its development since 2000 has made it a famous Buddhist shrine at home and abroad. At the same time, Emei Mountain is the Dojo of Bodhisattva, with national security temple, Longmen Cave, Snake Cliff, Emei Buddha's Light and other scenic spots. Bodhisattva Samantabhadra symbolizes "greatness" and perseverance, so it is more effective to seek ability and perseverance in Emei Mountain.

4. Mount Putuo, Zhejiang

Putuo Mountain, located in Zhoushan Islands, Zhejiang Province, is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It is both a Buddhist shrine and an island tourist attraction, which is very rare in China. The sea view of Mount Putuo is beautiful from any angle. During the prosperity of ancient times, the number of temples here reached nearly 100. In addition to the Buddhist cultural carvings on the stone walls in the mountains, you can often see wandering monks.

There are three main temples on the mountain: Fusaiji, Fayu Temple and Huiji Temple, and there are many cave landscapes, such as Yin Chao Cave and Fanyin Cave. Putuo Mountain is the Dojo where Guanyin Bodhisattva educates all sentient beings. Guanyin Bodhisattva's "great compassion" is great compassion, so it is more effective to ask for trouble and children here.

History of Buddhism in Wutai Mountain

Buddhism was introduced into Wutai Mountain, and it is generally said that it began in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the 11th year of Yongping (68), Kaye Morten and Zhu Falan came to Wutai Mountain (then called Liang Qing). They built a temple here because there was a pagoda of King Ashoka on the mountain for a long time and Wutai Mountain was where Manjusri Bodhisattva gave lectures and lived.

According to legend, Kaya Morten and Zhu Falan not only found this footprint, but also found the Buddha's "relic". Besides, the mountains in Fangying Village are magnificent, similar to the Indian spiritual jiusan (where Sakyamuni Buddha practiced). For these three reasons, we decided to build a temple here. After the temple was completed, it was named Lingjiu Temple after the mountain shape. Emperor Hanming added the word "Dafu" (meaning "Hong Xin") to show his belief in Buddhism, so the full name of the temple after completion is Dafu Lingjiu Temple. The Lingjiu Temple in Dafu is the predecessor of Xiantong Temple. Since then, Wutai Mountain has become the center of Buddhism in China, and the Dafuling vulture temple is the earliest temple in China.

During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the development of Buddhism in Wutai Mountain reached its first climax. Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty expanded the Lingjiu Temple on a large scale, and built twelve monasteries around it, such as Mountain View Temple and Rong Zhen Temple. During the Northern Qi Dynasty, the number of temples in Wutai Mountain soared to more than 200.

In the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Wendi wrote to build a temple in each of the five terraces. Namely Wanghai Temple in Dongtai, Fosaiji Temple in Nantai, Farei Temple in Xitai, Ling Ying Temple in Beitai and Yanjiao Temple in Zhongtai. Because Wutai Mountain is the place where Manjusri Bodhisattva lectured, the temples on the top of these five platforms are dedicated to Manjusri Bodhisattva. From then on, anyone who goes to Wutai Mountain to worship will go to the five temples at the top of the platform to worship. This is the so-called pilgrimage to Taiwan Province. At this time, the name of Wutai Mountain has appeared in a large number of history books in the Northern Qi Dynasty.