On the northern tip of Guangdong province, in the Shaoguan county there is a majestic range of red sandstone mountains called Danxia Shan (
丹霞山). And in Danxia Shan there's a famous Chan monastery known as Biechuan Si (
别传寺). After touring the peaks of Danxia, we descended a very steep flight of steps carved into the cliff to reach the temple. You had to hold the railings tightly as you went down so as not to fall off.
On the cliff we can see 4 words "Easy as ascending to Heaven" - surely this is an oxymoron when we think of how difficult it is to climb up or even down the steps.
The Wind Riding Pavilion for people to rest on the way down.
Yet another almost vertical flight of steps.
More calligraphy on the cliff "Stepping out on the top of the Pole" - this refers to the critical stage of Chan meditation where one must give up even the most subtle attachment to the all-encompassing emptiness.
The temple well. Behind there is a shrine to the earth deities Tudi Gong and Tudi Po.
Finally reaching the entrance of the temple. This temple was the place where Master Danxia Tianran of the Tang dynasty once stayed. He was the main character of the Koan of "Danxia burning the Buddha statues".
The inner wall of the temple with the words "Namo Amitofo".
Outside the Grand Hall.
The monks were doing their evening chanting in the hall when we were there.
Climbing up to the highest hall in the temple - the Vairocana Vihara.
Looking down from the Vairocana Vihara.
A grand 3-D Mandala depicting the Avatamsaka Universe of Vairocana Buddha. Vairocana sits right on the top, representing the Dharmakaya, and on the 2nd tier, the 4 Buddhas - Amitabha, Ashobhya, Ratnasambhava and Amoghasiddhi representing the Sambhogaya. All the other Buddhas in the myriad worlds below represent the Nirmanakaya.
The hall has mirrors on all sides, creating infinite reflections of the Mandala. This is also a core teaching of the Avatamsaka Sutra - the infinite inter-connectivity of all realms and the sentient beings who inhabit them.
The Guanyin Hall, which was still under construction.
The Guanyin statue on the main altar.
An ancient iron pagoda outside the temple.
On the northern tip of Guangdong province, in the Shaoguan county there is a majestic range of red sandstone mountains called Danxia Shan (丹霞山). And in Danxia Shan there's a famous Chan monastery known as Biechuan Si (别传寺). After touring the peaks of Danxia, we descended a very steep flight of steps carved into the cliff to reach the temple. You had to hold the railings tightly as you went down so as not to fall off.
On the cliff we can see 4 words "Easy as ascending to Heaven" - surely this is an oxymoron when we think of how difficult it is to climb up or even down the steps.
The Wind Riding Pavilion for people to rest on the way down.
Yet another almost vertical flight of steps.
More calligraphy on the cliff "Stepping out on the top of the Pole" - this refers to the critical stage of Chan meditation where one must give up even the most subtle attachment to the all-encompassing emptiness.
The temple well. Behind there is a shrine to the earth deities Tudi Gong and Tudi Po.
Finally reaching the entrance of the temple. This temple was the place where Master Danxia Tianran of the Tang dynasty once stayed. He was the main character of the Koan of "Danxia burning the Buddha statues".
The inner wall of the temple with the words "Namo Amitofo".
Outside the Grand Hall.
The monks were doing their evening chanting in the hall when we were there.
Climbing up to the highest hall in the temple - the Vairocana Vihara.
Looking down from the Vairocana Vihara.
A grand 3-D Mandala depicting the Avatamsaka Universe of Vairocana Buddha. Vairocana sits right on the top, representing the Dharmakaya, and on the 2nd tier, the 4 Buddhas - Amitabha, Ashobhya, Ratnasambhava and Amoghasiddhi representing the Sambhogaya. All the other Buddhas in the myriad worlds below represent the Nirmanakaya.
The hall has mirrors on all sides, creating infinite reflections of the Mandala. This is also a core teaching of the Avatamsaka Sutra - the infinite inter-connectivity of all realms and the sentient beings who inhabit them.
The Guanyin Hall, which was still under construction.
The Guanyin statue on the main altar.
An ancient iron pagoda outside the temple. 
1 comment:
Song Of The Grass Hut
By Ancestor Shitou Xiqian (700-790)
I've built a grass hut where there's nothing of value.
After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap.
When it was completed, fresh weeds appeared.
Now it's been lived in-covered by weeds.
The person in the hut lives here calmly,
Not stuck to inside, outside, or in-between.
Places worldly people live, he doesn't live.
Realms worldly people love, he doesn't love.
Though the hut is small, it includes the entire world.
In ten feet square, an old man illumines forms and their nature.
A Mahayana bodhisattva trusts without doubt.
The middling or lowly can't help wondering;
Will this hut perish or not?
Perishable or not, the original master is present,
Not dwelling south or north, east or west.
Firmly based on steadiness, it can't be surpassed.
A shining window below the green pines-
Jade palaces or vermilion towers can't compare with it.
Just sitting with head covered all things are at rest.
Thus, this mountain monk doesn't understand at all.
Living here he no longer works to get free.
Who would proudly arrange seats, trying to entice guests?
Turn around the light to shine within, then just return.
The vast inconceivable source can't be faced or turned away from.
Meet the ancestral teachers, be familiar with their instructions,
Bind grasses to build a hut, and don't give up.
Let go of hundreds of years and relax completely.
Open your hands and walk, innocent.
Thousands of words, myriad interpretations,
Are only to free you from obstructions.
If you want to know the undying person in the hut,
Don't separate from this skin bag here and now.
May all sincere dharma practitioners attain awakening in a sudden.
***
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