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Xingjiao temple

Xingjiao Temple is the temple I've always wanted to visit. It is said that Master Xuanzang was buried after his death and built a tower and temple at the same time. I was moved by the story of Buddhist scriptures in the West, and decided to pay homage to it.

Before I got to the temple, I saw the long red courtyard wall, which tilted upward along the mountain road. It stands out in the green wheat field at the foot of the mountain. Through that field and winding mountain road, Xingjiao Temple appeared in front of us.

Because some museums are under construction, there are basically no tourists. The yard was quiet, and there was a faint smell of incense in the air. I sniffed carefully and left nothing behind. I can't help being solemn, and I dare not walk hard, for fear that an unexpected sound will break the silence here. It seems that this silence has been maintained for a hundred years.

(Tang Sanzang Tower)

When I came to the bottom of the stupa and touched the yellow brick wall, time and space reversed, and I couldn't help but return to that distant dynasty, that ancient story.

During the Journey to the West, the Tang Priest had three disciples with different martial arts to protect the Journey to the West, and the Bodhisattva would also come to help in times of crisis. True story, Tang Priest walked alone on the road. Maybe he had followers from the beginning, but he was the only one who persisted in the end. All difficulties must be solved with both hands. There are no gods and miracles. After living in a foreign land for seventeen years, he just firmly believes in one truth-learning from the scriptures. After I came back, I devoted my life to the translation of Confucian classics, which lasted 19 years. His whole life has been dedicated to Buddhism, and here, beside me, is the place where he sleeps. Suddenly he felt very small, and he, Master Xuanzang, traveled through time and space to reach eternity.

Walking around the small tower foundation, this small temple, which has been almost forgotten by people since ancient times, has left an indelible mark in my eyes and mind.

Began to worship the weak monk.

(Huayan Twin Towers)

Coming out of Xingjiao Temple, we decided to go to Huayan Temple not far away.

The twin towers of Huayan Temple, the birthplace of Huayan Sect of Buddhism, were built in the Tang Dynasty. During the Qianlong period, the temples in the temple were completely destroyed, leaving only two brick towers in the Tang Dynasty, which are still intact. I really want to see what the twin towers so preserved look like, and what forces have made them stand the test of time?

In early spring, the barren yellow land is slightly desolate. The "Huayan Twin Towers" stand high on the hillside, some lonely and some lonely, as if two monks in Tsing Yi were looking helplessly into the distance. ......

When I got closer, I found that there was no temple at all! A three-bay tile house is accompanied by a tower, and a monk is chatting with the teacher of Yamashita Primary School.

I walked around the tower several times, but I was still a little disappointed. Because I saw the bodhisattva in the tile house. Shouldn't the bodhisattva be in the magnificent hall? Don't you even have the money to build a temple?

Talking to the monk, he seems very happy. Probably no one has visited here for a long time. Hearing that we were learning a foreign language, he quickly sent a letter, which he said was sent to a foreign Buddhist organization. In order to raise funds to rebuild the temple, all the monks here went out to beg alms, but he stayed to guard the tower and actively contacted various Buddhist associations, hoping to raise money to rebuild Huayan as soon as possible. The letter was sent to America, but it was returned, and he didn't know English at all. ......

We helped him write down the address, and my heart began to be sour. We understand why there are no temples here, and the Buddha doesn't have to be enshrined in the golden palace. As long as the Buddha is in our hearts, the place to worship Buddha is just a form. At the same time, I was deeply moved. The spirit of unremitting efforts will never die out, but will only become more frustrated and brave. ......

When leaving Huayan Temple, the monks stood on the hillside overlooking the foot of the mountain. Tall buildings have sprung up at the foot of the mountain, and the Twin Towers seem a little small, which seems to have been forgotten by people ... I hope that one day, the Twin Towers will no longer be lonely!

(Twin Towers Vision)

(Postscript: I have been to many temples in Xi 'an. These two temples are not famous in the world, even many local people don't know. But I think those temples crowded with tourists seem to have lost their essence long ago. How can noise, prosperity and impetuousness be related to Buddhism? This trip took place in March 2000 and was almost forgotten by me. Looking through my previous diary, my mood came back. So revise it and write it again as a souvenir. )

Transferred from Travel Notes of the Temple (Photo and Text)-Amy's Sky