Secret Temple

Secret Temple

Guide: The Secret Temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty. Today, only the front courtyard, middle courtyard, rear courtyard, West Hermitage, and Middle Hermitage remain. The front courtyard features the Hall of Heavenly Kings, east and west side halls, a five-bay main hall, as well as scripture depositories to the north and south. The middle courtyard includes side halls and a five-bay main hall. Some halls in the rear courtyard are partially damaged. The Middle Hermitage consists of three sites: the Three Saints Hermitage, Guanyin Cave, and Golden Buddha Tower. The Guanyin Cave has three levels dedicated to stone-carved statues of Maitreya, the Three Great Bodhisattvas, and Guan Yu, along with 18 cliff carvings. The Golden Buddha Tower has eight rooms across three levels, housing a gilded stone-carved Amitabha Buddha.

　 Highlights: On the mountainside in front of the temple are three pagodas: the Patriarch Pagoda, the Brick Pagoda of Master Jianxuan, and the Universal Pagoda built during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era. These three brick pagodas provide important historical material for the study of Mount Wutai. Introduction: Located 38 kilometers southwest of Taihuai Town on Secret Rock in Weiping Mountain — also known as Mystery Demon Rock, hence the temple is also called Mystery Demon Temple. Legend has it that this was where the Bodhisattva Manjushri ordained 500 divine dragons to practice in seclusion. Later, Master Yongtai resided and practiced here, and was known as the Mystery Demon Rock Monk. Because he carried a wooden trident, he was also called the Trident Monk. The area is lush with pine and cypress, surrounded by rugged cliffs, and full of wild charm.

Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province

Taihuai Town: The original site of Taihuai Town is located in the central part of Mount Wutai, by the Qingshui River. It got its name because it is surrounded by five peaks, and nearby is the famous Mount Wutai temple complex. During the early Qing Dynasty, Taihuai served as an imperial retreat, where Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong visited and stayed multiple times. Taihuai is a local town that welcomes countless tourists and merchants every year. … Taihuai Town detailed information++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites