Early distribution spot of Chinese Buddhism
The Mount Wuzhong, also known as Misty Mountain and formerly referred to as Daguangming Mountain, Tiancheng Mountain, and Wushan, is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site situated along the ancient Sichuan-to-India trade route, often referred to as the Southern Silk Road, within ancient China. It is located in Wushan Township, north of Dayi County, 25 kilometers from the county seat, and 80 kilometers from Chengdu. To its east lies Qinglong Mountain, to the south it connects with Daping, to the west it borders Wayao (also known as Baihushan), and to the north, it meets Longwo. The primary peak elevates to 1638 meters, with Jiulong Mountain and Jingang Mountain to the north and Hongyan Mountain to the west. Covering an expansive area of several square kilometers, it is aptly known as the “72 peaks” due to the constant presence of clouds and mist, hence earning its moniker as the “Misty Mountain.”
Historical records, such as the Ming Dynasty’s “Kaihuasi Stele Inscription” and the “Records of Misty Mountain,” reveal that as early as the Western Han Dynasty, Mount Wuzhong was renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and mysterious wonders that left people in awe. It was described as a “land adorned in golden cloth and adorned with jade-like peaks, filled with endless wonders that inspired astonishment and amazement.” It was even considered “the place where the ancient Buddha Amitabha performed miracles.” In the 16th year of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, responding to recommendations from the imperial court, Emperor Ming dispatched the courtier Fu Ying, accompanied by two distinguished monks from ancient India – the venerable monks Kashyapa Matanga and Zhu Falan – to establish a Buddhist temple on the mountain. Their mission was to propagate Buddhism and disseminate its teachings, thereby benefiting people far and wide with the nectar of Buddhist wisdom.
During the Ming Dynasty, Buddhism at Misty Mountain reached its zenith. The mountain boasted a total of seventy-two peaks, nine passes, and one hundred and eight winding paths, accommodating one hundred and eighty temples and forty-eight hermitages. According to the “Records of Misty Mountain,” it was described as a place “spanning dozens of square miles north of the two rivers and south of Longwo, with buildings scattered like black houses, without overcrowding.” “Monasteries and temples were as numerous as stars in the sky, surrounding the mountain from all sides, too numerous to count.” In modern terms, the total constructed area exceeded 400,000 square meters, equivalent to the size of a medium-sized city. During the Ming Zhengtong era, the emperor established the Dugang Institute at Misty Mountain, with the venerable monk Yuanxi serving as the official historian, overseeing all temple affairs. The temples at Misty Mountain were so prosperous and grand in scale during that period that a local saying emerged: “There are 25 thousand great monks, and the number of ordinary monks is beyond count.”
Eminent scholar Yang Sheng An, during his travels in Misty Mountain, inscribed a couplet on the “Heavenly Mountain” archway, proclaiming, “There is no match in the world; Misty Mountain is the number one.” With Yang Shen’s profound insight, he boldly asserted that Misty Mountain was unrivaled, and in the “Inscription of Kaihuasi temples at Misty Mountain,” he referred to this place as the “supreme stronghold of Chan (Zen) Buddhism.” This attests that during the Ming Dynasty, the prestige of Buddhism at Misty Mountain remained unmatched by other mountains in the region.
The Buddhist temple – KaihuaSi – established by the venerable monks Kashyapa Matanga and Zhu Falan was erected just six years after the White Horse Temple, often regarded as the first temple in Chinese Buddhist history. Therefore, it holds the distinction of being the second temple in the annals of Chinese Buddhism’s history and the first temple for the transmission of Buddhism from the south. Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty bestowed upon it the name “Daguangming Puzhao Temple.”
Since the Han Dynasty, Mount Wuzhong has been home to renowned monks who have propagated and practiced the Buddhist teachings. During the Yonghe period of the Jin Dynasty, the esteemed Western monk Faxian revitalized Misty Mountain, renaming the temple as Tiancheng Mountain Xianying Temple. In the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, two great masters, Sangha and Senghu, resided here and, by imperial decree, restored the original name of Daguangming Mountain Puzhao Temple. In the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty, Master Yuanze Laochang expanded and embellished the temple, bestowing it with splendor. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty, Tibetan monks Pudashaye and Shigaba were once again appointed by imperial decree to rebuild the temple and requested the imperial name “KaiHuaSi at Misty Mountain.” This name has endured for the temple ever since.
Throughout its long history, Kaihuasi at Misty Mountain has withstood nearly two thousand years, bearing witness to the rise and fall of temple structures, yet it persists to this day. In this enduring history, one can discern the resilience of Buddhism, the steadfastness of human hearts, and the enduring nature of faith.
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In more recent times, two esteemed monks resided within the temples of Misty Mountain: Master PuGuan and Master Guozhang. Both were disciples of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, receiving profound Dharma initiations from Him and achieving liberation. In 1998, Master Pu Guan passed away while in meditation, having attained mastery over his life and death. Remarkably, even eight years after his passing, his remains rest within a stupa, preserved in the meditation posture without any signs of decay.
Master Guozhang, a renowned Chinese Buddhist monk, embarked on his monastic journey at a young age on Mount Emei, one of China’s four famous Buddhist mountains. In his middle years, he ventured to Kangding in Tibet, where he received empowerment from the Supreme Vajradhara, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, who became his fundamental guru. Subsequently, he served as the abbot of Jiulao Cave on Mount Emei. Master Guozhang was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to monastic precepts, profound spiritual realization, and his extraordinary ability to tame wild animals on the mountain. Legends even spoke of his capacity to hear conversations between heavenly beings and humans.
In 1992, both Master Puguan and Master Guozhang were appointed to key positions at Misty Mountain’s Kaihuasi Temple by the government of Dayi County. Master Puguan assumed the role of abbot and oversaw Buddhist affairs within the mountain, while Master Guozhang was entrusted with overseeing the temple. Later on, Master Guozhang became the abbot of Jiewangting temple, which also located in the Misty Mountain.
Master Guo Zhang once shared with his disciples a remarkable experience: he received the Great Dharma initiation from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in Tibet when His Holiness was less than 5 years old.
In 2015, Master Guo Zhang passed away at the age of 108. Eleven days later, local government officials visited Jiewangting Temple and, doubting the profundity of the master’s practice, pierced his body with needles, causing blood to flow.
In China, there exists a saying that “famous temples produce famous tea since ancient times,” and the tea from Misty Mountain gained renown as early as the Tang and Song dynasties. Throughout history, the monks of Misty Mountain have often been involved in tea cultivation, using tea as sustenance, and blending Zen and tea culture. Within Misty Mountain’s expanse, ancient tea tree groves flourish, some so immense that it takes two people to encircle them. The tea leaves harvested from these trees emit a fragrant aroma and are considered the highest-quality Misty Mountain tea.
The fusion of Zen and tea culture embodies three virtues: “During Zen meditation, one stays awake all night, when one is full, tea aids in digestion, and tea is not consumed when not needed.” Tea serves to quench thirst, invigorate the senses, alleviate stress, purify the mind, nurture virtuous qualities, and has thus become an invaluable aid in Zen practice. The spiritual essence of Misty Mountain’s Zen and tea culture is encapsulated as “upright, pure, harmonious, and elegant,” with the purpose of “expressing gratitude, embracing inclusivity, sharing, and fostering connections.”
Mount Wuzhong – A Place Filled with Historical and Cultural Significance
Source: https://club.autohome.com.cn/bbs/thread/a3b8e453b0c45836/72821534-1.html, http://www.day.gov.cn/day/c140445/2021-01/14/content_d51260858d10469a94a004e1395bd9c6.shtml， http://www.lvyoudream.com/lvyougonglue/938/
Peace LiLy 