East Cliff Cloud Boat

East Cliff Cloud Boat

Dongya Chan Temple is located at the summit of Jiuhua Mountain's eastern peak, perched atop massive rocks at an elevation of 871 meters. From here, one can gaze at the Yangtze River, overlook Jiuhua Town, look up to Tiantai Peak, and take in the panoramic views of the Jiuhua scenic area. The Buddhist landscape is fully revealed.

In the late Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, the Korean prince and Bodhisattva Jin Qiaojue, also known as Earth Store Bodhisattva, first came to Jiuhua Mountain and resided in a cave on the East Cliff. He often meditated on the nearby rocks. In the second year of the Zhide era (757 AD), local gentry including Zhuge Jie from the mountain foothills visited the mountain. When they reached the East Cliff and saw Earth Store Bodhisattva’s ascetic practice, they were deeply moved. They resolved to build Huacheng Temple and invited him to move out of the cave. During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, the monk Zhou Jing built a thatched hut here and later constructed the “Yan Zuo Hall” to enshrine Earth Store Bodhisattva. The master of mind learning, Wang Yangming, visited twice to discuss Buddhist scriptures with Zhou Jing, resonating deeply with him, and they exchanged poetic inscriptions. During the Wanli era, the monk Pu Tong renamed the “Yan Zuo Hall” to “Dongya Jingshe,” as the rock cliff was located east of Huacheng Temple. In the late Ming Dynasty, the Mahavira Hall and Tiansu Pavilion were expanded. In the ninth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, the abbot Ding Hui renovated the Mahavira Hall and built the Ten Thousand Buddhas Tower, Dizang Hall, and meditation hall. In the early years of the Republic of China, the monk Xin Zhou oversaw the construction of monastic quarters called the “Zouma Tonglou,” a five-story structure capable of housing hundreds of people. It served as a monastery for all directions, becoming one of the Four Great Monasteries of Jiuhua Mountain. In 1920, the abbot Xin Jian built a large temple on the right side of Huacheng Temple — the Lower Monastery of Dongya. The upper monastery focused on Buddhist ceremonies and assemblies, while the lower monastery welcomed monks and visitors from all directions. In 1933, the Upper Monastery of Dongya was destroyed by fire. As a result, the monks relocated to the Lower Monastery. In 1940, the Lower Monastery was damaged by war, leaving only the Cloud Water House. In 1980, the Lower Monastery was rebuilt into Dongya Hotel.

The Dongya Chan Temple has been home to many eminent monks in modern times, such as Master Yuexia and Master Xinjian. In the late Qing Dynasty, Master Yuexia was appointed as the abbot of Dongya Chan Temple. He led the monks in meditation, delivered sermons, and attracted numerous monks from across the country, with a permanent community of hundreds. He also founded the Huayan Monastery at Cui Feng Temple, promoting monastic education with equal emphasis on practice and study. After Master Yuexia, Master Xinjian became the abbot of Dongya Chan Temple. During his tenure, he established the Lower Monastery of Dongya and Fahua Temple, vigorously promoted Buddhist activities, and served several terms as the chairman of both the Jiuhua Mountain Buddhist Association and the Anhui Buddhist Association.

The surroundings of Dongya Chan Temple feature many historic sites. To the east of the cliff lies an ancient cave, several meters deep and three meters wide. With clouds piling at its entrance like snow, it is named “Duiyun Cave,” the place where Earth Store Bodhisattva first stayed upon arriving at Jiuhua Mountain. To the east above the cave is the massive and square East Rock, where Earth Store Bodhisattva often recited scriptures, admired the view, and meditated. Hence, this rock is called “Yan Zuo Rock.”

On the western and southern sides of the rock cliff are cliff inscriptions. The “Feishen Chu” on the southern side is said to be the spot where Earth Store Bodhisattva entered and exited the East Cliff. The “Yun Shen Chu,” “Yun Fang,” and “Ji Zhoujing Heshang Ji” on the western side were handwritten by Wang Yangming. When clouds gather, the distant view of this rock resembles a giant boat, hence its reputation as the “Cloud Boat.” “East Cliff Cloud Boat” is one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Jiuhua Mountain. Northwest of the East Cliff is a spring. Legend has it that when Earth Store Bodhisattva was living in the cave, he was bitten by a venomous insect. A young girl appeared and said, “I was ignorant as a child, and I wish to offer a spring to make amends,” then pointed to a stone to the northwest before vanishing with a blink. Earth Store Bodhisattva lifted the stone to find a spring. The water was clear and sweet. He washed his wound with it and was instantly healed. Later, it was known that a dragon girl had helped him, and thus the spring was named “Dragon Girl Spring.”

In 1995, the Upper Monastery of Dongya was rebuilt under the leadership of Master Guoci. The current Buddhist structures mainly include the Main Hall, Avalokitesvara Hall, and monastic quarters. The temple continues to expand.