Dapeng Mountain Cliff Carvings

Dapeng Mountain Cliff Carvings

The Dapeng Mountain Cliff Carvings are a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

On the southern section of Nanlingyun Road, exposed rocky cliffs feature cliff carvings. The inscriptions are transliterations in Sanskrit of "Om Mani Padme Hum," a term from Esoteric Buddhism, also known as the Six-Syllable Mantra. Measuring 6 meters in length and 1.2 meters in height, their exact age is unknown. A newly built platform with stone tables and benches provides a resting spot for visitors.

The Dapeng Mountain Cliff Carvings consist of the Buddha’s Footprint Cave Cliff Inscriptions and the Qin Du Nunnery Stone Carvings.

Buddha’s Footprint Cave is located on the southern side of Mofanggang on Dapeng Mountain, with its entrance facing southwest. The cave is 10 meters deep and 5 meters wide. On the lower part of the southern wall, there is a large natural left footprint. This footprint bears a striking resemblance to the right footprint at "Guanyin’s Leap" on Mount Putuo. Legend has it that in the first year of the Tianbao era during the Tang Dynasty, the monk Dahui discovered this footprint while meditating in the cave and believed it to be a Buddha’s footprint, hence naming it "Buddha’s Footprint Cave."

Three cliff inscriptions are carved on the eastern wall of Buddha’s Footprint Cave:

The first inscription reads: "Majestic Dapeng, stretching east across the sea, ancient Buddha footprints preserved, now encountered by Master Hui. For ten years he dwelled here with arduous dedication, akin to Bodhidharma facing the wall, echoing the spirit of the Dharma. He carved out this stone cave, established the Great Buddha Hall, and resonant Buddhist chants spread, connecting with the sounds of the sea. With a wave, flowers fall; in meditation, clouds enshroud. The Buddha’s footprints are wondrous, the master’s path sublime. Hearing his teachings, each word penetrates the core. Crossing the Tiger Stream, I dare compare myself to Tao Yuanming. Visiting Buddha’s Footprint Cave and paying homage to Master Huichu, I jot these words down. Inscribed by Qin Zongyou, Presented Scholar and Hanlin Academician, in the winter of the Bingzi year of the Kangxi reign."

The second inscription reads: "Qian Yu of Lin’an and Chen Bangyan of Jinping, both accompanied by their parents, came to view the Buddha’s footprints. 24th day of the second month, Longxing 2nd year."

The third inscription reads: "County Magistrate Tang Zhongwen, accompanied by his family, came to pay respects to the ancient Buddha’s footprints and visit the relics of the Zen master. They climbed vines and passed through rocks, resting briefly at the cave entrance, gazing eastward at the vast sea—a truly splendid excursion. Son Shi Xian, grandsons Qi and Sun accompanied him. In the ninth year of the Chunxi era, the day before Qingming."

Buddha’s Footprint Cave on Dapeng Mountain became famous for the Buddha’s footprints, with cliff inscriptions dating from the Southern Song Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty. In 1645, Huang Zongxi, a philosopher from the late Ming and early Qing periods, visited the cave and composed two poems titled "Ode to the Sea": the first, "Bowing into the ancient cave, the sky suddenly clears. Precipitous rocks form twin gates, footprints shine with five toes. In this primordial vastness, surely not begun in the Kaiyuan era"; the second, "Peeling moss reveals inscribed names, emotions tied to souls of ages past. Qian Jiujin of Longxing, Tang Zhongwen of Chunxi. Climbing vines and passing through rocks, these historic sites still remain."

The Qin Du Nunnery Stone Carvings are located about a hundred meters southeast of Buddha’s Footprint Cave on the cliff face. The carvings face east, with the characters "Lingtai Ziruo" (The Spirit Terrace Calm and Composed) inscribed prominently at the top. Below are depictions of the Spirit Terrace and shrine. On either side of the shrine are inscriptions reading "Biksu Shengling Pagoda" and "Kangxi Gengzi Spring." To the left of the "Biksu Shengling Pagoda" couplet are three sets of stone carvings: an old man riding a deer at the upper left; a carp leaping from the water and a large ship navigating turbulent waves on the right; and a group of horsemen crossing a tall arched bridge at the bottom. To the right of the "Kangxi Gengzi Spring" couplet are five sets of carvings: the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and an image of a person leading a stubborn donkey across a bridge. The entire stone carving ensemble is harmonious, and based on its overall layout, people imagine it as depicting scenes such as "An Immortal Pointing the Way," "Leaping Over the Dragon Gate," "Climbing the Heavenly Bridge," and "The Four Deities Bestowing Protection."

The Dapeng Mountain Cliff Carvings were designated as part of the third batch of cultural relics protection units by the Cixi County People's Government in August 1986 and are now listed as an important tourist attraction in Cixi.

Longshan Town: Located at the easternmost edge of the fertile Cixi region, Longshan Town borders the port city of Ningbo to the south, faces Hangzhou Bay to the northeast, and is traversed by National Highway 329. It is just 30 kilometers from downtown Ningbo, offering convenient transportation. After the completion of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, the drive from Longshan to Shanghai takes only one and a half hours. The town covers a total area of 54 square kilometers, comprising 9 administrative villages, 1 neighborhood committee, and 1 state farm, with a registered population of around 20,000.

With a long and storied history, settlements existed here as early as the 16th year of the Yongping era during the Eastern Han Dynasty (73 AD), boasting a history of over 1,900 years. Longshan… More details about Longshan Town++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units