Travel Notes on Touzishan

In the late spring of the Gengzi year, there was a cold eclipse day. The spring breeze was gentle and the flowers were in full bloom. I am full of interest and wanderlust. Then he took his wife, Qingqi and simple clothes and headed towards Touzishan at the northern foot of Tongcheng.

The road is full of people and traffic. Guys and green girls are wearing spring clothes and are noisy and laughing. The thousand-year scholarly atmosphere of Tongcheng, the cultural capital, adds to the commotion of spring.

Touzi Mountain is a branch of Longmian Mountain. It is located on the northern edge of Tongcheng, three or four miles away from the city. It is where Lu Su, Lu Zijing, a famous minister of the Eastern Wu Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms, stationed his troops. It is a place that resists the powerful Wei Dynasty in the north. It has towering trees, numerous hills, and crisscrossed ravines. , clouds cover the fog. It is a natural fortress of Crouching Tiger and Hidden Soldiers. It is backed by the rolling Longmian Mountains, overlooking the mighty Xizi Lake in front and the Yangtze River in the distance. It is the hub of the north and south of the town, and the key to locking the three rivers. It goes to Gyeonggi in the north, Huguang in the south, connects Suzhou and Shanghai on the left, and connects the key points of the three towns on the right. The terrain is steep and steep, capable of hiding millions of soldiers. After Lu Su was defeated in the war against Cao Cao, he surrendered his son to the temple in this mountain, hence the name of the mountain and temple.

Park the car in front of the Tutu Temple and wind up along the winding mountain road. The road twists and turns like dragons and snakes, with birds and animals passing through it. Flowers are blooming, rare birds are singing, exotic flowers and plants are in full splendor, the air is clear and sweet, and the streams are clear and pure. Under the small bridge over the clear spring, beside the koi lotus pond, colorful clouds circle the top, and the light of the Buddha appears in the mist. It's like a fairyland on earth. Isn't this a blessed place for people who are free from the secular world and a cave where people who leave the world can hide in hiding?

After walking two miles along the mountain, we came to the pavilion where Lu Zijing received his official duties. The Jinguan Pavilion is shaped like an umbrella canopy. It is located halfway up the mountain. It is small and delicate, just like an infatuated girl looking forward to her belated lover returning from the foot of the mountain. Cover your eyes and look down the mountain. I heard that there used to be stone tables and benches, but they are missing now.

After walking another hundred or so steps, turning the corner of the mountain, suddenly a Buddhist cave opens, with red walls and yellow walls, glazed tiles, fish scales, and temples connected to the ground and mountains. Touzi Temple has finally arrived!

Touzi Temple was built in the Xiantong period of Emperor Yizong of the Tang Dynasty. It was formerly a small temple called Shengyin Temple. Zhuo Xi, the Zen master of Datong in the Tang Dynasty, built a cottage here, opened the mountain gate, promoted Buddhism, built temples extensively, and the incense flourished. He expanded it and changed its name to Touzi Temple. It is the ancestral court of the three sects of Tantric Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and Caodong Sect. Later, it was integrated with the Jiuhua Pure Land Sect and became a unique Buddhist Taoist temple in Jiangzuo. He is known for his Zen style, profound and independent family style. The mountain where it is located is shaped like a phoenix, so it is called Phoenix Mountain. On the top of the mountain where the temple is located, the tail of the phoenix is ​​falling. According to legend, there were three crows announcing the dawn, two tigers patrolling the corridor, the Shenxiao Palace, the Lake Viewing Pavilion, the wooden well and other sacred places in the temple. Unfortunately, they have all been lost in the long river of history. Now only Zhuoxi Spring, Zhaozhou Bridge, Xishan Stone Carvings and other ancient scenes remain.

I was very surprised when I first saw the three characters Zhaozhou Bridge outside the mountain gate. Suspicion suddenly arises. Why did Zhaozhouqiao fly to the Tongcheng area? After asking the great monk, I found out that the matter was related to Zen Master Zhaozhou in the Tang Dynasty.

At that time, monk Zhaozhou of the Tang Dynasty traveled all over the world and came to Shuzhou (the original name of Anqing Prefecture) to seek the name of the great monk Datong. Stationed at Touzi Temple in Xixi, he promoted Buddhism and preached scriptures. There was a severe drought, and the monks in the temple were carrying water at the foot of the mountain. They were miserable. Upon seeing this, monk Zhaozhou felt compassionate. He sat on the futon, closed his eyes and listened, chanting Buddhist sutras and twisting beads in his hands. For a long time, he saw his staff flying out. The staff was like a flying dragon. Where the tin staff landed, a clear spring gushes out. And out. Seeing this, all the monks bowed their heads and worshiped, admiring the profoundness of the Dharma. Therefore, this spring is called Zhuoxi Spring, and a bridge is built beside the spring. It is called Zhaozhou Bridge. This is the origin of Zhuo Xiquan and Zhaozhou Bridge.

The small bridge is simple and elegant, flying over a clear spring. The water is gurgling and clear to the bottom. The flowers are blooming beside the stream. The cool breeze blows. There is a sense of Zen in the tranquility, which makes me, a layman, suddenly feel like a jungle. .

A hundred meters outside the mountain gate there is a pagoda, standing on the top of an independent mountain. The tower is shaped like a sword and points directly to the sky. Surrounded by jade fences, there are many inscriptions of famous people from all over the world. There are also inscriptions on the life of Taishan Beidou Fangbao Wangxi, a sage from the Tongcheng School, to encourage future generations to learn.

The pagoda is actually a bell tower with a total of three floors. The Touzixiao Bell, the first of the eight scenic spots in Tongcheng, hangs in the middle of the bottom floor of the pagoda door. The bell is two meters high and weighs about one ton. It is made of bronze and has the Yangwen Guanyin Great Compassion Mantra engraved on it. It has an antique flavor and a deep sound. The sonorous and long-lasting sound of Zen.

Helping his wife go up the corridor, there is a Buddha sitting half-lotus on the second floor, with his back facing north and south, holding the pagoda in his left hand, and forming the fearless mudra with his right hand. The treasure is solemn. I know it is the Oriental Medicine Master, Glazed Light Buddha, and I quickly pay my respects. Kneel down in front of the Buddha, place the mudra of Medicine Buddha on your chest, and recite Medicine Buddha Dharani silently. May Medicine Master Tathagata bless my mother, mother-in-law and wife to be healthy physically and mentally, and to stay away from illness. May the world be free from the epidemic soon, and be healthy and peaceful.

The wooden stairs going up to the third floor are narrow and steep. I advised my wife not to go up. I climbed up by myself holding on to the railing to worship Amitabha Buddha in the west. The ceremony is over. Looking outside the window, you can have a panoramic view of Tongcheng's distant scenery. The tall buildings, the bustling downtown, the traffic, and the graceful Longmian River all seemed far away from me in this quiet Zen breeze.

There were very few tourists today, and it was the Cold Food Festival. The gate of Touzi Temple was closed, so I entered through the side door. I saw jade railings in front of the temple, a meandering water cup, fish swimming leisurely in the pond, and birds singing on the trees. The sky is shrouded with auspicious clouds and the streams and springs jingle, giving it the atmosphere of a Buddhist country.

Entering the Mahavira Hall, Sakyamuni Tathagata is in solemn form, with a majestic figure, leaning on the lotus throne. The fearless mudra declares the compassion of Buddhism, and his deep eyes seem to convey the voice of the Buddha from the ancient universe. Next to him, Manjusri, On the right is Samantabhadra Protector, surrounded by many gods and goddesses, some with their eyes closed, some with their ears tilted, some holding a sword, some holding a staff, some riding a tiger, some riding an elephant, all looking solemnly. I quickly paid homage.

At this time, a cultivator entered the temple. He was wearing monk robes and sandals and had a kind face. I quickly put my hands together. Question: "Master, great virtuous person?"

The monk clasped his hands together and returned the greeting: "I don't dare to call you a great virtue, let alone superior or inferior. The abbot of this temple performs the next one. It is the Jiuhua lineage of the Pure Land Sect. It carries the water of Caoxi River at the top and relieves the suffering of the people at the bottom..."

When I first read the Diamond Sutra, I had a lot of doubts in my mind, so I asked, "How can the mind be free from attachment?"

The monk said: "The mind without dwelling is the highest state in the practice of Buddhism. Only through precepts, concentration, and wisdom can we eliminate greed, anger, and ignorance. It can be enlightened in the Lengyan Sutra, Yanhua Sutra and other classics. To become a Buddha, you have to Self-enlightenment and doing good deeds are the first priority. Read more Buddhist scriptures and you will get the answer..."

I had a great chat with the master, and I asked about some Buddhist teachings. The master taught me everything. If the monk had to go out for something, I put my hands together and gave him a gift.

After talking with the monk, I seemed to feel the profoundness and breadth of Buddhism, and I felt deeply moved.

After leaving the main hall, I wanted to go to Pumen to see the great Zen master Yanyi. The monk said that the master had something to do and was traveling far away, and I was unwilling to do so.

However, I saw the koi carps in the lotus pond. Although the lotus flowers were hidden, they were swimming happily and leisurely. In this sacred place of the Buddhist country, they were either chasing, playing, quiet, or wagging their tails. They were colorful and elegant. It seems there is no need for me to ask about Fish Joy.

Looking back at Touzi Temple shrouded in fragrant mist and Touzi Mountain shrouded in auspicious clouds, I silently said in my heart: Goodbye Touzi Mountain and Touzi Temple, I will come again, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom.

Postscript: I have three wishes for going to Touzishan this time.

1: I admire the picturesque scenery of Touzi Mountain, the distant bells of Touzi Temple, and the noble Zen style. I want to take a look.

Two: My mother and wife suffer from the same chronic disease, and they feel miserable. My mother-in-law has been in poor health for many years. I pray that the Buddhas will protect their health and get rid of the disease as soon as possible.

Three: Zen master Yanyi’s Zen book and Zen paintings are unique in Buddhism. Although I see them beautifully, I have many doubts and would like to ask for advice in person.