When I had arrived on Putuoshan Island two days earlier, I had been rushing to my hotel, and hadn't had time to explore the area around the docks. So on my last afternoon, I went back to see what I had missed.
Near the docks are several grand gateways, and some wonderful statuary. My favorite was the statue of Shancai (Sanskrit: Sudhana), the male attendant to Guanyin. He is in a dynamic posture reminiscent of kung fu.
Passing this and the others, I reached a small walkway with a bridge linking the main island to a much smaller one, merely a pile of boulders, really. Three of these boulders are positioned like the standing stones at Stonehenge--two upright, and one across the top--but on a much smaller scale, the opening between them being about one meter.
This is the famous Nantian Men, "Gate of the Southern Heaven," and it leads into the fore-courtyard of a very small temple, Daguanpeng Si (the guan in the center is the same as in Guanyin).
While the temple itself was charming, the real attraction is the dramatic way man-made construction is adapted to nature. Also, the rocks are covered with inscriptions, another interesting juxtaposition of nature and art.
After watching the sunset over the mainland, I returned to my nearby hotel to fetch my bags.
--------
Until next time, may you and your loved ones and all sentient beings be well and happy.
Adios, Amigos!
GET MORE:
Find this and all past issues of the Newsletter online at Substack.
There are a few more pictures of this visit at the end of the article on Fayu Temple.
The Shenzhen Daily article at the core of this Episode.
You may unsubscribe to Temple Tales at any time by using the button at the bottom of this email, or by simply replying to this Newsletter and writing "Unsubscribe." You will receive one more letter as confirmation.
If you have any problems reading the Newsletter , please write to me at TheTempleGuy@GMail.com, and I'll help you in any way I can!