Ep. 116: The Temple of Aiding Wisdom

Putuoshan's Huiji Temple

(This episode follows directly on Ep. 115; like that one, it is based on an article in the Shenzhen Daily; also like that one, there is a longer version with a few more words and pictures, in Episode 076.)

The temple's approach from the cable car seemed like defensive work

After leaving the area of the Nanhai Guanyin, I headed for the cable car up to Foding (Buddha Peak) Hill--one of the island's highest points--and Huiji Temple. (For those keeping count, this is the third official temple of my pilgrimage; you can read about the whole thing near the end of Episode 000--and that's not a typo!)

The temple's only courtyard, and the Main Hall

The third-largest temple on Putuoshan today was built here first as a pagoda, expanded into a larger complex in 1793. The People's Liberation Army occupied the temple during the Cultural Revolution, and the Red Guard destroyed some of its halls. Rehabilitation began in 1978.

This "Temple of Aiding Wisdom" is the only one on the island that has the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni--in fact, a model of wisdom--as its main figure. The rest focus on Guanyin, Bodhisattva of Compassion, the island's patron(ess).

Carvings along the incense road, with "Sky Sea Buddha Land" on the left

Leaving Huiji Temple, I walked the 1,000 steps (reportedly) down the "Xiangyun (Fragrant Cloud) Road," past numerous rocks with carved inscriptions. During a visit to the island, Hou Jigao, a Ming general and fighter of Japanese pirates (famed for writing a travelogue in 1588 about his visit) carved one of those: four large red letters reading "Sky Sea Buddha Land," now a nickname for Putuoshan.

The road ended at Fayu Temple, which I strolled through quickly. I made a more thorough visit the next morning; I'll share that with you in the next episode.

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Until next time, may you and your loved ones and all sentient beings be well and happy.

Adios, Amigos!

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