Stone Buddha Statues and Cliff Carvings at Nantian Temple

Stone Buddha Statues and Cliff Carvings at Nantian Temple

The Stone Buddha Statues and Cliff Carvings at Nantian Temple are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Stone Buddha Statues and Cliff Carvings at Nantian Temple

Shifo Mountain, also known as Daifeng Mountain, and nicknamed Qingniu Mountain due to its resemblance to an ox, is located between Dongshi and Anhai in Jinjiang. It is a renowned scenic spot in Jinjiang, and the Nantian Chan Temple within the mountain is a nationally famous Buddhist sacred site. The name "Shifo Mountain" comes from the three stone Buddha statues on the mountain, and the Nantian Chan Temple is also well-known because of these three stone Buddha statues.

According to records, the three stone Buddha statues at Nantian Chan Temple are the largest cliff carvings still existing in Quanzhou, featuring the unique characteristics of three Buddhas carved on a single rock and housed within one niche, which is extremely rare in the Quanzhou area.

The three stone Buddha statues are carved into the cliff wall of a massive rock, with an outer relief of a hall-style Buddhist niche, standing 7 meters high and 16 meters wide. The Buddha statues themselves are each 6 meters tall and 3 meters wide. These three stone Buddha statues are collectively known as the "Three Saints of the West": Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. In the center is Amitabha Buddha, sitting cross-legged on a 2-meter-high lotus throne, with long ears, eyes gazing straight ahead, slightly upturned corners, a faintly smiling mouth, a robe draped over the chest, the right arm partially exposed, a string of prayer beads tightly tied around the waist, hands folded and placed on the lap, toes not visible, appearing dignified yet serene, tall and strong yet compassionate. On the right is Guanyin Bodhisattva, wearing a floral crown, with the right hand bent forward holding a vase, the left hand bent upward with the palm facing outward, and a face slightly narrower than Amitabha Buddha’s. On the left is Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, wearing a cloud-patterned floral crown, with the left hand bent forward holding a scripture, the right hand bent upward with the palm facing outward, exuding a majestic aura and a gentle expression.

In what year were these three Buddha statues carved, and who carved them?

A stone stele in Nantian Temple unveils the mystery. This stele was built in the 38th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, which is 1699, and bears an inscription titled “Reconstruction of Nantian Chan Temple Stele” written by Admiral Wu Ying when he oversaw the temple’s renovation. It states: “In the Jiayou Bingzi year of the Song Dynasty (1216), Monk Jing of Yian passed by this place and saw three holy lights suddenly emitted from the cliffs late at night. He believed it was the convergence of the spiritual energy of the mountains, so he raised funds to hire sculptors to carve the statues of Amitabha, Guanyin, and Mahasthamaprapta, and built the temple, hence naming it after the stone Buddha.”

[Same period, Abbot Shi Shan of Nantian Chan Temple: When the three stone Buddha statues were being carved, it is recorded in the Minshu History of Quanzhou that even before the carving began, three beams of light emerged from this mountain. The enlightened monk Shoujing happened to pass by and then invited sculptors to carve the three Buddha statues. That’s why we have a plaque here inscribed with 'Extraordinary Light on Stone,' explaining the origin of these three Buddha statues.

Xuxikeng Village: Xuxikeng Village is located in the northeastern part of Dongshi Town, facing Kinmen Island, situated along the extension of the Daiyun Mountain Range and a branch of Daishan. There is a perennial flowing spring running north-south through the village, called Hushui. The village is named after this water source, known as “Hushui” or “Huli.” The terrain forms a large low-lying basin shaped like a bow, with Hushui resembling an arrow shooting straight forward, creating a magnificent and beautiful landscape, truly reflecting the winding tributaries of Daishan and the boundless beauty of Hushui. The villagers have always placed great importance on cultural education. In terms of culture, aspects such as Pear Garden opera, puppetry, and Nanyin music flourished especially during the Qing Dynasty in Xuxikeng Village. Pear Garden opera... Detailed information about Xuxikeng Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units