Ganshui Stone (Ruins of Ganshui Academy)

Ganshui Stone (Ruins of Ganshui Academy)

Ganshui Stone (Ruins of Ganshui Academy) is a cultural tourism attraction.

The ruins of a Confucian Neo-Confucianism academy allow visitors to imagine the atmosphere of harmony between Confucianism and Buddhism on Jiuhua Mountain in those days.

Guide

During the Ming Dynasty, Neo-Confucian scholars brought the tradition of scholarly lectures to the mountain’s peak. Wang Yangming advocated for the establishment of an academy and lectures on Jiuhua beforehand, followed by Zhan Ruoshui gathering students for teachings there. Zhan Ruoshui was a Ming Dynasty philosopher who promoted the theory of “recognizing the Heavenly Principle everywhere,” while Wang Yangming advocated the doctrine of “the extension of innate knowledge.” Though each founded their own school of thought, they maintained close ties and exchanged poetic works. Wang Yangming lectured at the National History Archives, where Zhan Ruoshui associated with him and others, gradually gaining prominence and becoming known as “Mr. Ganshui” (Zhan’s style name was Ganshui). He instructed his disciples, including Jiang Xuecen, to build an academy on Jiuhua and wrote to local authorities requesting their full support.

The disciples followed his instructions and built the academy on Jiuhua. It was soon completed and named “Ganshui Academy” after their teacher’s elegant style name, in anticipation of his visit. Later, when Zhan Ruoshui’s mother passed away, he left his official post in the capital for three years to travel to Jiuhua and deliver lectures. His lectures attracted many students and were very prosperous.

Introduction

Ganshui Academy was somewhat well-known in its day. However, after the late Ming Dynasty, the academy fell into disrepair and was further damaged during the battles of the Xianfeng era in the Qing Dynasty. Today, only the stone stele inscribed with the character “Ganshui” by Zhan Ruoshui himself remains; everything else has been lost. The site of the academy has become a lush green tea plantation. Because the engraved Ganshui stone still exists, this place is called “Ganshui Stone.” Admission & Opening Hours

None (Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM)

Transportation

Accessible by walking from the Baishou Palace mountain path toward Xiaohuatai.