Mountain Jiufeng

Located at Houjiazhai Town northeast of Zunhua, Mountain Jiufeng is famous for its well-known mountain, old temples, strange trees, odd-shaped rocks, steep cliffs and narrow Great Wall. Well-known mountain means that the 15th of the 18 Arhats once stayed here to practice Buddhist doctrines. Old temple means Qiyun Temple, which was rebuilt in the Tang Dynasty and renovated in the Liao State. Strange trees include “Twin Pine”, “Pine by Rock” and “High Ginkgo”. Odd-shaped rocks include “Eagle Facing Tortoise”, “Tree and Monkey Bowing to Buddha” and “Flying Rock”. Steep cliff means that a Buddhist monk jumped off this cliff to become a Buddha. Narrow Great Wall means the narrowest section of the Great Wall built by the Yan State is only 70 centimeters Wide.

In ancient times, Mountain Jiufeng was called Mountain Three Terraces, made up of Front Terrace, Middle Terrace (Jumping Terrace) and Back Terrace (Jiufeng Range) where Qiyun Temple stands. In it stands Buddhist statues of 18 Buddhist Arhats, Sakyamuni, Avalokitesvara and so on. At the foot of the cliff there is a small temple on the upper part of the right of Qiyun Temple. It was built for Master Huineng who jumped off the cliff to become a Buddha.

Legend says a master and his two students practiced in Qiyun Temple. Huineng, one of the students, was virtuous and pious to Sakayamuni. One day, his master and fellow student were going out to beg because there was no food in the temple. He asked his master, “What am I going to eat after you leave?” His master got angry and said rashly, “You may burn your legs and boil rocks”. After the two had left, Huineng trusted his master and put rocks into the boiler. He lit wood sticks and burned his legs. Strangely his legs were still in a good condition, though the water was boiling. Fragrance came from the boiler, and the rocks had become delicious steamed buns. Coming back, his master asked him what it was about. Huineng told him the truth. Of course his master didn't believe him and tasted them, the result being that two of his teeth were hit and fell off. Quite angry, he chased after Huineng to the top of Middle Terrace. Huineng raised his eyes and saw a lotus flower floating toward him. So he jumped down and only a pair of shoes were left. Later people also called Middle Terrace Jumping Terrace, and built a temple in memory of him.

Warm-hearted people in Mountain Jiufeng hold the Red Maple Leaves Festival every October, when you enjoy the scene of “ Forested maple leaves look much redder than spring flowers”.

Publishes at : 07-11-29 22:52

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