The Legend of Baizhang Mountain

Jiangxi
🎧  Listen to Introduction

Baizhang Temple is located at the foot of Daxiong Peak of Baizhang Mountain in Fengxin County. It is the birthplace of the influential "Zen Forest Pure Rules" in the Chinese Buddhist community and one of the ten ancient Buddhist temples in China. In the first year of Xingyuan of Emperor Dezong of Tang Dynasty (784), Master Huaihai came to Daxiong Mountain to be the abbot. With the arrival of a generation of Zen masters, Baizhang Mountain was "surrounded by temples", offerings and donations accumulated, and the number of disciples increased. Many eminent monks, including great Zen masters who later founded their own sects, such as Xiyun, Lingyou, Tansheng, Da'an, Wufeng, Shenzan, Zhixian, etc., all entered Baizhang and studied Zen under Huaihai. In addition to training a group of important Zen masters, the most important thing about Master Huaihai's status and influence in the history of Zen Buddhism is that he established the basic Zen precepts "Baizhang Pure Rules". This historical achievement was completed in Baizhang Temple in Fengxin. "Yuzhang Book" also records that before Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, Li Chen, had a difficult period of hiding in the jungle and became a monk in Baizhang Temple. Along with the development of Buddhism, some Buddhist stories of enlightened monks have been sublimated through word of mouth among the common people in Baizhang Mountain area, and gradually formed Buddhist stories and legends with local characteristics. Some of these stories have become famous cases and stories in the history of Buddhism. This not only represents the admiration of the masses for the masters, but also expresses the piety of the believers to religion. In the history of Zen Buddhism, Baizhang Temple and Baizhang Qinggui are a period of history with great influence. The legends, stories and stories formed in this period of history reflect the most typical imprints on the road of the sinicization of Zen Buddhism. These legends and stories mainly come from Baizhang Mountain Scenic Area and are widely circulated. Some of them have also spread to Japan and Southeast Asia, showing the charm of traditional Chinese culture. The most popular one is that about 1,500 years ago, a child went to the temple with his mother to burn incense and worship Buddha. He saw many Bodhisattvas in the temple and was very excited and curious. He asked his mother: Mom, what is this? His mother replied: This is Buddha and Bodhisattva. The child said: How can Buddha be the same as a human? I want to be a Buddha when I grow up. 60 years later, this child who had aspired to become a Buddha since childhood really became a world-shaking figure in the history of Chinese Zen Buddhism. This is Master Huaihai. Huaihai was a direct disciple of Mazu Daoyi, a famous Zen master in the Tang Dynasty. Mazu Daoyi had three famous disciples, known as the Three Masters, and Master Huaihai was one of them. After Master Huaihai became the abbot of Baizhang Temple in Fengxin, Baizhang Temple became famous. At that time, there was a saying that there were three temples, five temples and forty-eight nunneries. Before Emperor Xuanzong of Tang ascended the throne, in order to avoid court disputes, he asked a monk for advice. The monk said nothing, but only wrote the two words "Baizhang" on the palm of Emperor Xuanzong's hand. So Emperor Xuanzong of Tang traveled thousands of miles to Baizhang Mountain in Fengxin, and left many relics on Baizhang Mountain. Now there are two large stones behind Baizhang Temple. It is said that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang meditated on one of them every day. Later, when he ascended the throne, the villagers named this stone "Dragon Pan Stone". Emperor Xuanzong of Tang also left a poem chanting Baizhang Xiongfeng, "The sun and the moon pass by my shoulders every time, and the mountains and rivers are always in my palms", which shows his strong ambition to be a dragon. After Emperor Xuanzong of Tang ascended the throne, he still remembered the place where he had sought Dharma, and specially granted the plaque of "Dazhi Shousheng Zen Temple". Therefore, Baizhang Temple is also known as Dazhi Temple, and it has been used by local villagers to this day. During the period when Master Huaihai was the abbot of Baizhang Temple, the most famous legend and allusion was the story of riding a cow to find a cow. At that time, there was a Zen master named Da'an in Fuzhou. One day he came to Baizhang Temple and asked Master Huaihai: What do people look like when they learn Buddhism? Master Huaihai said, it's too much like riding a cow to find a cow. It means that there are Buddhist teachings everywhere in life. If you give up the things in front of you and seek Zen and Buddha everywhere, isn't it the same as riding a cow to find a cow? Then, Zen Master Da'an asked Master Huaihai again, what if you have learned Buddhism? Master Huaihai replied that it's like riding a cow home. Master Daan asked again, how to keep the Dharma for a long time after obtaining it? Master Huaihai replied that it was like a cowherd holding a whip to watch the cows, so that the cows would not trample the crops in the field. Master Daan was enlightened after hearing this, and he stayed in Baizhang Temple from then on. Baizhang Temple has a history of more than 1,200 years. It is one of the largest temples in Jiangnan and enjoys a high reputation in the Buddhist circles at home and abroad. It has a rich traditional cultural heritage. The experience of Master Huaihai and other eminent monks in Fengxin to study Buddhism has been spread by later generations. Their practice of "no work, no food" and "a day without farming and meditation" has also derived many profound Buddhist Zen stories. Fengxin Baizhang Mountain is known as the "Xianyuan Lingjing" by the world because it is the birthplace of Zen Tianxia Qinggui and has rich legends and allusions as cultural heritage. The legends of Baizhang Mountain and the cultural relics preserved are a powerful proof of the characteristics of Chinese history and culture. In May 2008, with the approval of the Jiangxi Provincial People's Government, Fengxin Baizhang Mountain Legend was included in the second batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage list.

Intangible culture related to the heritage

China tourist attractions related to the heritage