Dongshan Chanlin

Dongshan Chanlin

Dongshan Chanlin is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Dongshan is the ancestral home of the Caodong School of Chinese Buddhism. As the leading sect worldwide, Caodong disciples are spread across the globe. As early as 840 AD, Japanese monks such as Nōkō from Kasa and Korean monk Eiran resided long-term at Dongshan, introducing Caodong Buddhism to Japan and Korea. Today, there are tens of millions of Caodong followers in Japan alone. The Caodong teachings founded by Master Liangjia (835 AD) have spread worldwide. In the tenth year of the Xiantong era (869 AD), Emperor Yizong of Tang conferred upon Master Liangjia the Dharma title of “Wuben Chan Master.” After his passing, the “Huijue Pagoda” was built on the back mountain of Dongshan by imperial decree.

Dongshan is not only the ancestral home of the Caodong School of Buddhism but also a tourist destination that combines Buddhist culture with natural ecology. Within the primitive forests of the scenic area, ancient trees tower above, vines entwine, animals roam, birds chirp, and springs and waterfalls echo beautifully. There are over 20 scenic spots, including Puli Temple, Jiazu Pagoda, Su Zhe’s Poetic Stone Carvings, Wooden Fish Stone, Seven Immortals Bridge, Millennium Arhat Pine, Stone Nanmu, Fengqu Bridge, as well as multiple pagoda forests such as Yeshe Mountain, Hongmi’ao Pagoda Forest, Niutou Mountain Pagoda Forest, and Jingkeng Pagoda Forest. The majestic mountain gate bears four golden characters “Dongshan Chanlin,” personally inscribed by the late Venerable Zhao Puchu, former president of the Buddhist Association. Dongshan is blessed with beautiful mountains and clear waters, producing beauties through the generations. The Painting Wall Goddess bathed in the streams of Dongshan, emerging like a lotus, and won the deep favor of the emperor. Hence, the springs of Dongshan are revered as divine water for beauty. When you visit Dongshan, witness the Buddha’s light and bathe in its spiritual energy—you are sure to turn misfortune into fortune, overcome adversity, achieve career success, and enjoy smooth sailing in all endeavors. Puli Chan Temple:

Originally built during the mid-Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty, it has been restored and abandoned multiple times, and was rebuilt in 1988. The temple covers an area of 6,806 square meters and is the ancestral home of the Caodong School. It includes structures such as the Mahavira Hall, Kunling Hall, and Monks’ Quarters, totaling 996.6 square meters. Jiazu Pagoda: Also known as the tomb pagoda of Master Liangjia. In 869 AD, Master Liangjia passed away, and Emperor Yizong of Tang posthumously honored him as “Wuben Chan Master.” He was buried behind Puli Temple on the back mountain of Dongshan, and the tomb pagoda was named Huiju. The front of the pagoda is protected by stone walls, with a worship platform and accessible stone steps. The pagoda is simple in style, hexagonal, 3.2 meters high, with a canopy 1.2 meters wide. The base has two layers; the lower layer is hexagonal with carved honeysuckle patterns, while the upper layer features carvings of ruyi grass, swastikas, coins, and double coins. The body of the pagoda has a lintel and a base, with lotus engravings on the lintel and inverted lotus on the base, and hexagonal angles. Stone slabs are embedded in the stone pillars, the pagoda top is umbrella-shaped with tile ridges and six angled eaves. The finial has three tiers: lotus petal-covered urn, spire, and precious bead. At the lower end of the pagoda, the words “Ji Chou Chi Jian” (built in the year of Ji Chou) and “Shi Huiju Pagoda” (Master Huiju Pagoda) remain. In 1983, provincial religious affairs authorities allocated funds for restoration. Wooden Fish Stone: Located at the foot of Yeheshan Mountain, 80 meters southwest of Fengqu Bridge. It is 3.3 meters wide and 2.6 meters high. One end is raised high, the other sunken low, resembling a wooden fish. When struck at the top, it emits a sound similar to a wooden fish. The upper part is inscribed with the characters “Xiang Shi” (Resounding Stone).

Legend has it that Master Liangjia widely accepted disciples at Dongshan, leading many to embrace Buddhism, which angered Tieguaili (a figure from Taoism). He came to Dongshan to confront the abbot, but unfortunately, Master Liangjia was lecturing on scriptures and meditation and could not be disturbed. So, Tieguaili shouted loudly outside the hall, demanding Master Liangjia come out to speak. The commotion alerted Master Liangjia, who stepped out of the hall and immediately recognized the visitor, saying, “So it’s you, the eight-hundred-year-old undead ghost!” Tieguaili retorted, “Then you must be the five-hundred-year-old spendthrift. I’ll make you go bankrupt today.” He immediately hurled his iron crutch, which transformed into a mountain pressing down on Master Liangjia’s head. With a gentle flick of his Buddhist finger, Master Liangjia halted the mountain in place on the right side of the temple, forming what is now called “Crutch Mountain.” Not to be outdone, Master Liangjia threw his wooden fish, causing Tieguaili to flee in terror. The wooden fish landed a short distance from the temple and turned into the “Wooden Fish Stone.” Millennium Arhat Pine: Located in front of Puli Temple. It stands 10 meters tall with a crown about 13 meters wide. Although the main trunk retains only a small strip of bark—less than two-fifths of its original size—it remains lush with branches. According to the Wudeng Huiyuan, this pine was planted by the Chan master Qinglin Shiqian. By 1985, it had existed for over 1,100 years. At that time, Shiqian composed a gatha: “Over three feet tall, lushly covering the green grass. No one knows which generation will see this pine grow old.” (It has since fallen.) Silver Waterfall Flying Ribbon: About 50 meters upstream from Fengqu Bridge, there is a nearly 10-meter-high waterfall. The water cascades down a steep cliff, creating the breathtaking sight of a silver ribbon of water, like “a white ribbon hanging in the secluded valley, a silver curtain shaking jade beads.” On sunny noons, when sunlight directly hits the waterfall, a rainbow appears, often mistaken for the “Buddha’s light.” Yehe Mountain Pagoda Forest: Contains 10 pagodas, built between 1644 and 1766, housing the remains of the 30th to 36th generations of abbots of Puli Temple at Dongshan. The Tongtong Pagoda in the center is the shared burial pagoda for ordinary monks. It is a stupa-style structure, 2.3 meters high, with a base 1.2 meters wide. The foundation is in vajra pedestal style, the lower two layers undecorated, and the third layer carved with honeysuckle patterns. The body is cylindrical, topped with a lotus pedestal finial, and has doors on both sides. A stone-paved square crypt beneath the back door is 3 meters deep, 1.5 meters long and wide. The door is embossed with niches and small steles inscribed with the characters “Tongtong Pagoda.” The other nine pagodas are Linghui Cheng Pagoda, Bikou Gusu Pagoda, Lvzhen De Pagoda, Huifang Jian Pagoda, Wuji Xin Pagoda, Biyun Zhen Pagoda, Tuanxuan Xing Pagoda, Shuyao Gao Pagoda, and Ziruo Zhen Pagoda.

Yehe Stone

At the water outlet of Dongshan in Tong’an Township, there are two stacked stones known as Yehe Stone. Legend says these stones open and close day and night, acting as the gate of Dongshan. Beneath them lies a “salt well.” However, greedy monks stole salt for profit, causing the self-opening stone gate and the salt-producing well to lose their spiritual power.

Legend of the Yehe Spiritual Trace: At the narrow entrance of Dongshan, there are two stacked massive rocks. Legend says these rocks originally stood apart on either side of the cliff like two gates, closing by themselves at night and opening again at dawn, hence the name “Yehe Stone.” Beside Yehe Stone are two stone wells that once flowed oil and salt on their own, providing food for the monks. Later, a greedy monk pretended to crow like a rooster to trick the gate open, stealing and selling the oil and salt. Since then, the wells dried up, and Yehe Stone no longer exhibited its opening and closing wonders. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Zhe, brother of the famed poet Su Dongpo, visited Dongshan and composed a poem on Yehe Stone. This site, known as “Yehe Spiritual Trace,” later became one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Xinchang.”

Fengqu Bridge:

Located 300 meters above Baibu’an of Dongshan, the bridge was built in 1098 during the fifth year of the Shaosheng era of the Song Dynasty. It was funded by Lei Sishisan-niang, wife of Zhang Zhongshu from Tong’an, and her son Yu Xi, using savings from gathering rice ears. It was constructed to commemorate Master Liangjia’s enlightenment here. Since then, the local Zhang and Lei families have flourished with many talented descendants. Lei Sishisan-niang’s direct great-grandson even rose to the rank of Left Prime Minister, and the family enjoyed litigation-free harmony—hence the belief that donating to build Fengqu Bridge brings blessings. The bridge’s arch is composed of seven vertical single arches arranged in parallel, each made of 11 granite blocks. Seventy-seven rectangular stones are arranged in seven columns to form the load-bearing arch, with connected vertical and horizontal seams. Two stone-carved warriors stand on the arch shoulders as guardian deities. The bridge is 15 meters long, 4.7 meters wide, with a clear span of 4.2 meters and an arch rise of 2.1 meters, giving it a steep arch ratio of 2:1. The bottom of the arch is inscribed with the construction date, donors, and main builders. The three characters “Fengqu Bridge” were inscribed by then-county magistrate Qian Mao, inspired by Master Liangjia’s “Fengqu Jue” poem, written after he encountered his reflection in the water while crossing here. In October 2002, an antique-style pavilion was built on the bridge. Seven Immortals Bridge:

Tieguaili, one of the Eight Immortals, came to Dongshan looking for trouble but gained no advantage. He complained to the other immortals, who all admired Master Liangjia and felt they should support him rather than undermine him. Later, the immortals arrived at Dongshan, saw there was no bridge over the stream, and used their divine powers to take long stones from the rocky cliffs to instantly build a bridge. At the time, only Tieguaili felt too embarrassed to join, so the bridge was named Seven Immortals Bridge. Su Zhe’s Dongshan Poem Carving:

At the water outlet of Dongshan in Tong’an Township, there are two stacked stones. The upper granite slab is inscribed with Su Zhe’s Northern Song Dynasty poem “Visiting Dongshan”: “An ancient temple occupies several peaks, nestled among the hills like a heavenly palace. For three years I wished to visit, hindered by official duties, yet my heart reached across the hundred miles. Where do carefree monks dwell? Among birds and beasts, they find no conflict. When will these worldly documents end? A smile shared in a small room is enough.”

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units