Huanggu An in Yudu

Huanggu An in Yudu

In the northern foothills of Tianhua Mountain in Yinjing, Yudu, on the mountainside of Gushitaoling at Qiaotou, there is a long-renowned ancient temple called Huanggu An. Situated at an altitude of over 600 meters, it is embraced by rolling mountains, surrounded by lush forests, terraced fields, and murmuring streams, offering breathtaking scenery and making it a popular scenic spot in northern Yudu.

Huanggu An was first built during the Eastern Han Dynasty. In front of the temple stands a three-story waterside pavilion, standing firmly and soaring into the clouds. The temple originally comprised five main sections: the main hall, meditation room, monks’ quarters, guest rooms, and dining hall, which could accommodate over 300 people. The main hall was constructed from bricks and stones, featuring carved beams and painted rafters, upturned eaves, and ancient tiles, exuding a classical charm. The plaque above the entrance is inscribed with “Imperial Edict” and “Huanggu Buddhist Forest,” implying reverence for the emperor and the temple. Legend has it that Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, once took refuge here. He inserted his chopsticks into the incense burner, kowtowed repeatedly, and privately vowed to the Buddha: “Liu Xiu, the destitute, if I ever rise again, may these chopsticks sprout and grow—may the Buddha make it so.” After his prayer, a gentle breeze blew, and the chopsticks suddenly grew into square bamboo. Later, Liu Xiu indeed ascended to the throne. The monks at the temple transplanted the square bamboo in front of the temple, and soon it flourished into a lush grove. Liu Xiu, never forgetting this kindness, bestowed a couplet upon the ancient temple, which read:

"Huanggu has changed, the people's will rises, my Buddha smiles as he picks flowers, rejoicing that all beings are now equal; Gu Stone reunites, the precious mountain remains unharmed, lay devotees come together, praising aloud as they lift their staffs, marveling at the radiance of the Ten Grounds."

In those days, Huanggu An owned vast tracts of forest and farmland, and its assets were extremely wealthy, with over fifty resident monks. Monks from thirty-six temples and monasteries around Tianhua Mountain often gathered here to chant scriptures and worship the Buddha; pilgrims and visitors came in an endless stream, making it a place of great prosperity. It is said that during one year of temple expansion, an ancient book was unearthed, which read: “Around Huanggu, there are 108 silver vaults. One vault every hundred steps, each containing a hundred silver coins.” Later, several of these vaults were discovered.

In the late Qing Dynasty, a man surnamed Huang from Shuixi, Ningdu, came to the temple as a monk. His Dharma name was Chen Bao, and he was the teacher of Daguo, a monk from Dayue Temple in Yudu, and was a renowned monk of the time. On his 71st birthday, he displayed great pomp, including nine one-inch-tall golden Buddhas, five coins shaped like copper discs, two silver balls as big as water ladles, and a silver pagoda over two feet tall. Later, the whereabouts of these treasures became unknown. Some say they were hidden away by Chen Bao; others say they were celestial treasures, long since reclaimed by the Buddha.