Reclining Cloud Rock

Reclining Cloud Rock

Reclining Cloud Rock is a cultural relic protection unit of Wuxi City.

Reclining Cloud Rock is located within Xihui Park in Wuxi City. It lies in the middle of Chunsen Stream at Huishan, and is a roughly rectangular natural boulder measuring 1.95 meters in length, 1.15 meters in width, and 1.07 meters in height. The words “Reclining Cloud” (卧云) are inscribed on it in regular script, signed by “Erquan Shanren” (二泉山人), which refers to Shao Bao, Minister of Rites in Nanjing during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. Shao Bao was on friendly terms with the poet-monk Yuán Xiǎn of Huishan Temple. Yuán Xiǎn, lay surname Chen, styled himself Reclining Cloud (卧云), was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures, served as abbot of Huishan Temple for five years, and compiled the twenty-volume Huishan Ji (Records of Huishan), which was proofread by Shao Bao. In Shao Bao’s poem “Hearing that Mo Nansha Stayed Overnight in Zhīwēi’s Room and Thinking of Him,” there is a line: “The character ‘Reclining’ is on the southern cliff rock; I hope Zhīwēi will not let moss cover it.” This confirms that the two characters “Reclining Cloud” were inscribed by Shao Bao using Yuán Xiǎn’s style name, conveying not mere appearance but also Zen meaning. In 1956, a triangular pavilion was built beside the rock by the stream, making it a fine spot to enjoy the stream splashing over the rocks after rain.

On November 21, 1983, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the Wuxi Municipal People’s Government.