Requesting a tour guide’s explanation of the Dazu Rock Carvings.

China Guangdong International Travel Service's "Dazu Baoding Stone Carvings" research

BUS "Dazu Rock Carvings" guide

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests Hello everyone!

Thank you for visiting! Here, on behalf of Chongqing Zhongguang International Travel Service, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you! Welcome everyone to come to our Dazu and visit the exquisite and beautiful Dazu Rock Carvings.

My name is Yang Lin, you can just call me Xiao Yang. This time you will have an explanation service for your trip to Dazu. I hope and believe that my explanation service will enable you to gain something from your short trip to Dazu and make it unforgettable.

Now our bus is driving on the way to the Dazu Rock Carvings Scenic Area. Xiao Yang will take this opportunity to briefly introduce the "Dazu Rock Carvings" we are about to visit.

Everyone knows? The grotto art of ancient India was introduced to China in the 3rd century AD, and formed two peaks of statues in northern my country around the 5th and 7th centuries respectively. It did not decline until the middle of the 8th century AD. However, at this time, in Dazu County, located in the Yangtze River Basin, cliff sculptures suddenly emerged. From the end of the 9th century to the middle of the 13th century, Dazu Rock Carvings represented by the "Five Mountains" cliff sculptures were built, forming the third great development in the history of Chinese grotto art. The peak of sculpture has extended the history of Chinese grotto art for more than 400 years. So far, no new large-scale grottoes have been excavated in various parts of our country, and the Dazu Rock Carvings are like the "splendid afterglow" of the gorgeous sunset, and they have become a peerless treasure of late Chinese grotto art.

The Dazu Rock Carvings were first built in 650 AD (the first year of Yonghui in the Tang Dynasty) and lasted for more than 1,200 years after five dynasties, flourishing in the Song Dynasty and the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Its statues are mainly composed of "five mountains": Baoding Mountain, Beishan Mountain, Nanshan Mountain, Shizhuan Mountain and Shimen Mountain. There are more than 50,000 statues distributed in nearly 100 places throughout the county. It is famous for: large scale, exquisite carvings, diverse themes, rich connotations, and complete preservation; it is a collection of statues from the "three religions" of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, which is different from the earlier grottoes; it is used for: distinct nationalization and secularization Characteristics, unique in China's grotto art. We can say with certainty: "It is the Nalanda of the East"!

On December 1, 1999, the "Dazu Rock Carvings" were included in the "World Heritage List" by UNESCO. The admission criteria are: first, the Dazu Rock Carvings are artistic masterpieces of genius and have great cultural heritage. High artistic, historical and scientific value. Second, Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian statues can truly reflect the philosophical thoughts and customs of Chinese society at that time. Third, the plastic arts and religious and philosophical ideas of the Dazu Rock Carvings have had a significant impact on later generations.

Looking at the Dazu Rock Carvings, the most representative one is undoubtedly the Moyan statue in "Big Buddha Bay" on Baoding Mountain. Its beautiful conception and composition, concise Buddhist evolution, and exquisite layout and carving can be regarded as the essence of Dazu stone carving art. After years of research, it was found that it was founded from 1174 to 1252 AD (from Chunxi to Chunyou years in the Southern Song Dynasty). It was built by Zhao Zhifeng, a generation of eminent monks in the Southern Song Dynasty, who promoted Buddhism, educated all living beings, devoted his life, and managed it for more than 70 years. The only large Tantric ashram in our country (Nalanda in the East).

This dojo was carefully conceived and designed by Zhao Zhifeng and his team based on the mantra of "The Five Parts of the Great Wheel". They first carved out a small Buddha bay as a blueprint, and then connected it to the rocks on the three mountains, resembling a horseshoe-shaped giant Buddha. Bay, along: the connotation evolution of the five parts of "the dharma realm of the Taoist field, the body of the deity, the cultivation of the three altars, the retribution of cause and effect, and the selflessness of perfect enlightenment"; follow: Yin Mao Chen Ji Wu Wei Shen Youxu Hai Zichou 12 o'clock grouping arrangement; and then according to " The composition is composed of six elements: body, color, position, number, language, and meaning. The 19 statues (Dun 1 picture) strictly follow the principles of Buddhist statues, taking the shape of a mountain, with huge niches connected, and a stone carving corridor of more than 500 meters; The philosophical concept of "Confucianism is the skin, Taoism is the flesh and blood, and Buddhism is the marrow" is vividly displayed here, further demonstrating the "Five Mantras of the Tantric Buddhism". The secret meaning of "Any Thoughts Create an Altar".

Enter Baoding Stone Carvings: The first statue of Dafowan, "The Entrance of Yinhu" (sitting southeast and facing northwest), shows the beginning of this dojo: Look at the tiger opening its big mouth and roaring like thunder ( According to the secret meaning of the five mantras of the Tantric Buddhism, the mouth is a mantra: its shape here represents the secret mantra, the compound character "Hum" of tiger [combination * cow], and some say it is the word "Hum", which is shaped like Aqi. The heart is the altar of the monk, and it is also the Vajra Department, the Vajra of the Heart) and its mantra. The teaching here is: "birth" means, everything can be born from this word "Hum". "Maintain righteousness" means that if you recite this word, the good gods who protect the law will come to protect you; "eliminate disaster" means that any disaster you have will be eliminated by reciting this word. "Accomplish" righteousness means that no matter what you ask for, you will get it. "Therefore it is said: "At the time of Yin, the sky is bright in the east, the yin and yang meet on the same line, the disciples of ghosts and disciples are united in thought, the Yin tiger protects the curse and roars to the thunder sky; the flying disk arranges the nine guardian gods, the white tiger eliminates disasters and escapes Jia Yin, and there are many deluded living beings outside the Buddha. , the five parts of the mystery in the altar are transformed into enlightenment."

From the position, orientation and meaning of this statue, it is not difficult to see the influence of the Five Parts of the Great Wheel Mantra and the Jianyin Calendar (Xia Calendar) of the Song Dynasty on Zhao Zhifeng’s construction of the altar, which caused him to lay out the first shrine. Naturally, the beginning of the Yin period, the realm of humans and ghosts (black and white), the unresolved nature of beasts, and the pursuit of precepts for evil roots are the prerequisites for Buddhahood, and the functions of the nine transcendental Dharma protectors are highlighted to show the public: "Although the Dharma Realm is strict, All gods eliminate evil and promote good, and all living beings have their own Dharma protectors." At the same time, Yin Hu stands close to the niche, making it look like a niche.

It very cleverly achieves the effect of Dunjia (Yin) and the Buddhist principle of "no end, no inside and outside, strong name, and the Dharma Realm".

Following Zhao Zhifeng’s idea, let’s look at the “Nine Protector Gods” (sitting east and facing west). The teachings of this niche should be: "All living beings protect the Dharma, guard the nine states, step on the seven emotions, have six connections to the left and right, seek worship and protect the Dharma, understand the facts clearly, understand the principles, follow the Dharma and return to the sect." In other words, everyone has different zodiac signs, but they all have their own Dharma protectors. When praying, you must recognize your own Dharma protectors (Vajra), and gain targeted insights from their body, speech, and mind, and develop obsessions to follow the way of heaven.

We will then go to the second niche "Six Paths of Reincarnation" (sit southeast and face northwest). It is a brief description of the "Dharma Realm" of Buddhism. It uses "images" and "principles" to show the Tantric outlook on life and world view; it uses cause and effect, reincarnation, and 12 causes and conditions to illustrate: the boundless sea of ??suffering, the impermanence of life, and the confusion. The Buddha is a sentient being, and the enlightened beings can be Buddhas. I will explain it in detail at that time.

The above statues such as "Yinhu Gate", "Nine Protectors", "Six Paths of Reincarnation" and other statues constitute the first part of the "Pure Dharma Realm Mantra" of our Baoding Tantric Dojo, which shows to all living beings The strict Dharma Realm of the Taoist Temple occupies the positions of "Yin, Mao, and Chen" in the time position of the Taoist Ground Branch.

Let's look at the second one, "The Vajra Realm Mantra of Vairocana Buddha". The parts are in order: the three major Dharani mantra niches of the Tang Dynasty (the vast treasure pavilion, the stupa) - the Dharani mantra that promotes the fruits of practice and points out the way to liberation (occupies the "self position"); 2 , Thousand-Hand Avalokitesvara, Ultimate Nirvana (Prince Bathing in Nine Dragons), Peacock King Ming; Main Appearance - Avalokitesvara saves suffering and rescues people with boundless wisdom and power, Sakyamuni comes and goes to the highest state, King Ming does not allow poisons to penetrate and eliminates disasters (occupies the "noon position"); 3. At the Vairocana Dojo, the Lord shows up - Mahavatha Tathagata preaches the Dharma "Huayan Ten Thousand Deeds" (occupies the "not position"). These groups of statues show the "nature of the Dharma Realm, that is, the Dharmakaya" to all living beings, which is an important part of Tantric Buddhism to manifest the deity. The classroom and the "Nalanda" center belong to the Dharma body and wisdom part of the deity. At the same time, among the branches of the Taoist field, the cave of Vairocana Buddha lives alone in the "Wei" position of the "Dojo". This is also in line with the wisdom center of the deity of the tantric altar. The way of manifesting the position achieves the core purpose of the Vajra Realm Mantra of Vairocana Buddha in the five secret mantras.

Then look at the third part of the "Three Altar Mantras", "The Appearance of Empty Color and the Vessel of Love." "Divided into three worlds, born from this", the sequence of interpretations is:

1. Medicine Buddha - "Transformed Images of the Sutra on the Kindness of Parents" uses the seven Buddhas to testify about the "10 images of raising children" and narrates one by one the kindness of parents in upbringing and life. To understand the repayment of kindness, witness the 44 wishes of the seven Buddhas through the correspondence of the seven Buddhas, and then the seven Buddhas will unite to manifest the "heart altar"

2. Tathagata Buddha - "The Great Convenient Buddha's Repayment Sutra". "Transformation" uses the Buddha's actions to manifest the body of "reincarnation", confirming that "filial piety is the first among hundreds of virtues" and the Buddha's body is good, thus manifesting the "body altar"

3. Amitabha - "Contemplation of Infinite Life". "Buddhist Sutras in Transfiguration" uses the transformation of the Western Pure Land to reflect the belonging of cultivation, the growth of lotus flowers, and the joy of enchanting heaven.

The next part is the fourth part of "The Stage of Earth God Holding." The "Mantra" part uses "Hell in Disguise" to show the "horrifying suffering of hell"; at the same time, a "six consumption diagram" is inserted between heaven and hell in the picture to show that there is only a thought difference between heaven and hell.

Then, "If you are confused, you will be ordinary, if you are enlightened, you will be holy. The truth is like the body, which must be personally verified." The "Liu Benzon 10 Refining Diagram" highlights the unity of the body, speech, and mind, and awareness of oneself and others. , no-self" process of cultivation, attainment, and establishment of a sect.

The above groups of statues are the altar's implementation of Buddhism's "precepts, concentration, and wisdom", "karma and retribution," and "cultivation and attainment" for all living beings. "The standard education of "Earthly Branches is Shen, You, and Xu respectively. The three altar mantras belonging to Buddhism and the mantra (illustration) of the Earth God Holding Stage.

Moving on, let's look at the fifth part. --The mantra part of the altar ceremony:

On the "Hai position" on the southwest rock, a "Zhengjue image" is carved to represent Liu Benzun's practice of enlightenment in the Dharma; in the adjacent "Zi position" He also opened the "Yuanjue Daochang" to show the deity of the fruit of Bodhisattva cultivation - the return of all dharma (the details of the twelve Yuanjue Bodhisattvas in the Yuanjue Daochang will be explained in detail later)

Speaking of the Yuanjue Dojo, what is particularly worth mentioning is the lion king lying on the outside of the entrance of the Yuanjue Cave. This lion king is the mount of the Great Sun Tathagata and is also one of the nine protectors of Buddhism. According to legend, the Buddha was the king. The spread of Buddhism spread widely, and the number of good people increased day by day, which aroused the dissatisfaction of the Brahmin Pope in ancient India at that time. He summoned millions of believers and invited the Buddha to discuss the Tao at the Praman altar - Kasyapa City. After three days and three nights of fighting, millions of believers were deeply inspired and sincerely worshiped the Buddha. The white lion king, the thousand-year-old protector of the Buddha, became more spiritual and deeply influenced by the Buddha's teachings. He was tamed by the Pope in tears. Angry and angry, he used the magic instrument to cast spells to confuse the people, causing the believers to get lost in the three realms and become ghosts. He tried to turn the tide. Seeing that the pope was stubborn, the Buddha sighed helplessly, tied the Buddha's seal with his hands and sang the vast Sanskrit sounds, which purified the mind and reduced desires. The evil spirit is peaceful, and the pope has no choice but to kill the Buddha with the mind-confused ruler. The white lion king knows good and evil, and he does not hesitate to kill the master to save the Buddha. Afterwards, the white lion king thought about it. The master's century-old kindness screamed to the sky, and the sound range spread thousands of miles, containing the artistic conception of Sanskrit music. The White Lion King attained great enlightenment and ascended to heaven.

This Buddhist soldier witnesses the great truth of "good and unwholesome dharmas, transformed from the heart", represents the "initial awakening" of the heart, represents the brave Buddha (lion), and also represents the ten virtuous dharma of Bodhisattvas.

Now it is guarding the entrance of the Yuanjue Cave. It has witnessed countless enlightened beings from the initial enlightenment to the complete enlightenment, as well as reincarnated Bodhisattvas and deities, etc. who have come to the Yuanjue Cave to seek "supreme and perfect enlightenment" · ·····I think its summary of perfect enlightenment should be: "To unite all the virtues and make great preparations, to shine in the crowd but to shine alone, it is called perfect enlightenment. Those who have perfect enlightenment all day long but have not experienced perfect enlightenment are ordinary people; desire Those who have achieved perfect enlightenment but have not yet fully realized it are bodhisattvas; those who have achieved perfect enlightenment and abide by it are Tathagata!"

The last thing we saw was the "ugly position" of Zhao Zhifeng's team in the Taoist field with " The mystery of "Nine Scales" and the carefully crafted "Picture of Herding Cows". This picture is divided into 12 parts, allowing people to understand that cultivation means: taming the mind, precepts and concentration to generate wisdom, conforming to nature, and the unity of nature and man. Just as the saying of the three-fold practice: "If you look at mountains, they are mountains, and if you look at water, they are water; if you look at mountains, they are not mountains, and if you look at water, they are not water; if you look at mountains, they are still mountains, and if you look at water, they are still water." Ultimately: "Human beings are inherently good by nature" The original is "purity", and "returning" is the way of heaven.

The above three groups of statues in the positions of Hai, Zi and Chou among the earthly branches tell all living beings that practicing the Tao means realizing oneself, others and no self, all dharmas return to their origin and heaven and man are unified. It belongs to the highest level of Buddhist enlightenment - complete enlightenment without self.

In this way, the 5-part theme evolves, the 12 earthly branches are arranged, and the six-element sculpture of down-to-earth atmosphere reaches the highest artistic conception of Buddhism and Taoism with the picture of cattle herding. Indeed, as people say: Dafo Bay is like a textbook on Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism with coherent momentum and rich pictures and texts. It naturally integrates Chinese Confucianism, Taoism culture and foreign Buddhist culture in an inclusive and harmonious way, and carries it forward, almost collecting all the great religions of the generation.

Furthermore, the themes of the statues in Dafo Bay are not repeated, and the expression techniques are simple, natural and vivid, reflecting the profound Buddhist principles through vivid artistic images and customs. Viewers can not only read Buddhist teachings, but also appreciate various secular features of the Song Dynasty.

Also, during the visit, we can also see that during the construction process of the statues, ancient artists let nature take its course, made full use of rocks, water sources and other conditions, applied techniques according to the location and materials, and skillfully blended them into the statues. Scientific principles such as mechanics, optics, and perspective, as well as superhuman wisdom and ingenious craftsmanship, make these precious religious and cultural heritages still shine with the light of ancient Chinese spiritual wisdom and material civilization after more than 800 years.

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen, the majestic gate carved on the Baoding Stone is right in front of our eyes. What Xiao Yang said above will be confirmed in a moment. When the time comes, please follow me carefully. Listening to Xiao Yang's attentive explanation of each niche, I also hope that everyone can feel, improve, and gain something during our Dazu Rock Carvings tour. I promise it with my heart and seek my ideal protective Buddha.

Thank you everyone!

Note: I would like to add a few more points to the above guide words:

1. Part of the "Mantra of the Vajra Realm of Vairocana Buddha":

In the guide words The "Tang Mi San Dharani Shrine" is currently the "Three Saints of Huayan" that everyone interprets. Take a closer look at the Dharani mantra: observe the handprints, debate the instruments, and observe the rituals. The three Buddhas should all be: the Buddha body of Dharma, Mantra and Heart Mantra - that is, Medicine Buddha, Great Sun Tathagata, Amitabha, which is the correct expression of the three mantras of the Three Worlds Buddha. This is not the current interpretation of the "Three Saints of Avatamsaka"

People's misunderstandings are generally 1. They think that the object held by Amitabha should be a lotus device to lead the Western lotus to rebirth, rather than a relic. The pagoda? In fact, these are all caused by not understanding the secret dharma. In the Paradise of Ultimate Bliss, "life comes and goes from the pagoda with a single thought of life and death", so it holds a relic stupa; in the glazed world, the world owner is here to reveal the Dharma, so he does not hold a medicine bowl, but holds seven The "gist" of the pagoda and the three realms are all in the Dharani and need to be integrated into the details. 2. Should a Bodhisattva, not a Buddha, wear a crown on his head? In fact, all Tantric Buddhas and Bodhisattvas wear crowns. If you don’t believe it, go to the Yuanjue Cave to visit the Great Sun Tathagata and see what he is wearing? There are also seven Buddhas on the crown of Medicine Buddha, and five Buddhas on the crown of Amitabha. Don’t you understand? If you still don’t understand, you can read the Dharani Mantra carefully.

The testimony of the seven Buddhas in the "Three Altar Mantras" section of "The Transfiguration of the Parental Favor Sutra" should not be the seven Buddhas in the past, but should be the interpretation of the Medicine Master's seven Buddhas combined into one Buddha. Anyone who understands the Three Altar Mantras Everyone who understands Buddhism knows that it is a disguised expression of the unity of the seven Buddhas. The mistake in using the title is that the last Buddha's mudra is regarded as Sakyamuni, and there is no in-depth study of Tantric Buddhism and the misunderstanding of the Medicine Master's mudra.

3. In the "Sealing the Altar Ritual Mantra" part, the three Buddhas in Yuanjue Cave are the three Buddhas, not the three-body Buddhas, because the Great Buddha Bay promotes the five parts of the Tantric Dharma, regardless of the Buddha statues. From the mudra to the rituals, you can see that they represent An, Mum, and Hum (body, speech, and mind), that is, Akho, Vairocana, and Amitabha Buddha III. The arrangement of the rituals (directions) and mudra are also strictly in accordance with Tantra. Buddhism demonstrates the infallibility of the "Three Jewels of Buddhism".

Another: The original interpretation of the third Buddha in the cave, Zhao Zhifeng standing as his left attendant, and Liu as his right attendant, is also incorrect. It should be: the left servant is appointed as Maha Kassapa (see the mudra, representing the inheritor of the Buddha), and the right servant is appointed as the merit official (some say Zhao Taishou or historian), which represents the officials and nobles who believe in Buddhism and support the statue.

Note: I think the original interpreter of Yuanjue Dong should have copied the following Zen "Da Fang Guang Yuan Jue Sutra Luo Yi Sutra" before he recognized the third generation Buddha in the later Tantra "Yuan Jue Sutra" Interpretation of the Three Body Buddha as understood by Zen Buddhism.

Attachment: "Da Fang Guang Yuan Jue Shu Duo Duo Luo Yi Sutra" was translated by Ji Bin Shaman Buddha Duo Luo in the Tang Dynasty in 693 (the second year of Changshou) in Baima Temple, Luoyang. "Yuanjue Sutra" is a classic taught by Tiantai Sect, Xianshou Sect, Zen Buddhism and others since the Tang and Song Dynasties. The earliest advocate of this sutra was Guifeng Zongmi, the fifth ancestor of Huayan Sect. He wrote seven commentaries on this sutra, the famous ones include "Yuanjue Sutra Dashu Explanation Notes", "Yuanjue Sutra Lue Shu", "Yuanjue Sutra Lue" "Sparse Notes".

3. Others who do not agree with the existing interpretations include: the Nine Protector Shrines, the Nirvana Picture of Sakyamuni, and the Ten Refiners Picture of Liu Benzun. I have written a special interpretation.

Nine Dharma Protector Shrines (photographed in 1935?)

Sakyamuni Nirvana Picture (photographed in 1935)

Ten Refiners Picture of Liu Benzun

< p> Religion is culture rather than truth. All things are relative and cannot be eternal; culture is diverse and requires multi-dimensional cognition. Civilization is unidimensional and must be followed according to time and place. Science is the law of cognition, and the law must follow time and space. ; The right and wrong in the world are all in the dimension of time and space.

Everyone should concentrate on understanding, and body, speech and mind will help you become enlightened! ......

ZHANG CE

First draft of China-Guangzhou CITS Research Study

December 15, 2021