Tomb of Master Yicun

Tomb of Master Yicun

The Tomb of Master Yicun is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

Tomb of Master Yicun

Located within the Snow Peak Temple in Dayu Township, Minhou County, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. Originally built in the fourth year of the Tianyou era of the Tang Dynasty (907 AD), it is constructed of stone, standing 4.1 meters high with a base diameter of 2.9 meters. The base of the pagoda is octagonal, with two stone steps at the bottom and a plain Sumeru pedestal on top. The body of the pagoda is bell-shaped, with stone surfaces carved with circular bead patterns, giving it the appearance of seven layers of prayer beads encircling the pagoda. The top resembles a round bamboo hat, crowned with a spherical finial, and is called the "Nanti Pagoda." One inscribed stone slab is embedded in the pagoda body, written in regular script: "Tomb of Master Yicun." According to the *Snow Peak Mountain Records*, beneath the pagoda lies an underground palace containing stone engravings of an inscription and preface personally written by Master Yicun during his lifetime and signed by Wang Shenzhi, the King of Min — totaling 225 characters.

In 1989, the pagoda was designated as a county-level cultural heritage site, and in 1996 it was listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site in Fujian.

Master Yicun had a deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy and was highly respected. Two of the Five Houses of Chan Buddhism (Weiyang, Linji, Caodong, Fayan, and Yunmen) — the Fayan and Yunmen schools — originated from his lineage. During the Five Dynasties period, the King of Min once asked Master Yicun, "What is so special about living on Elephant Bone Peak?" Yicun replied, "Even in the heat of summer, snow still accumulates at the peak." The king said, "Then the mountain shall be named Snow Peak." Thus, the name was changed to Snow Peak. The mountain is steep and rugged, with beautiful scenery. Its peak stands at an elevation of 800 meters and is honored as the "Divine Beauty of Minyue" and the "Foremost Peak of Exquisite Jade."

Yicun, whose secular surname was Zeng, was born in 822 AD in Jiancheng Village, Nan’an, Quanzhou, Fujian, during the second year of the Changqing era of the Tang Dynasty, into a family that had practiced Buddhism for generations. From childhood, he developed a deep reverence and affection for Buddhism. At the age of nine, he asked to become a monk, but his parents refused. At the age of 12, he accompanied his father on a trip to Yujian Temple in Putian and chose to stay there, not returning home. He took vows under the temple’s monk, Monk Qingxuan, and served him for five years. At the age of 17, he was ordained as a monk and adopted the monastic name Yicun.

Biography of Master Yicun, the Chan Patriarch

Ordination

In the fifth year of the Huichang era (845 AD), Emperor Wuzong issued an edict to “abolish Buddhism and return monks and nuns to civilian life.” Yicun was forced to return to lay life, but his faith in Buddhism never wavered... More detailed information about Yicun++

Dayu Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Minhou County. Established as Dayu Commune in 1958 and reorganized as a township in 1984. Located in the northern part of the county, it is 23.5 kilometers from the county seat. It covers an area of 327 square kilometers with a population of 31,000. The Fuzhou-Gutian Highway runs through the township. The township administers 23 village committees: Dayu, Niankeng, Dachi, Lingtou, Liujin, Snow Peak, Dongyao, Lantian, Qiangping, Shangyuan, Chaping, Houyang, Shuangxi, Xintang, Banshang, Dongqian, Maqian, Ruoyang, Daping, Yangshan, Xianshan, Zhenshan, and Houjing. The main agricultural products are rice and tea. Provincial-level cultural heritage sites include structures built in the 11th year of the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty (8... More detailed information about Dayu Township++