West Stone Rock Temple

West Stone Rock Temple

West Stone Rock Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

West Stone Rock, located two kilometers northwest of Lechang City, faces the Lè Stream in front and leans against Qilin Mountain at the back. It is one of China’s Seventy-Two Blessed Lands. Inside the cave is a stone niche, said to be the stone bed where Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of the Southern Zen School, once rested. According to Buddhist historical records: Huineng (638–713) was originally from Fanyang in Hebei. His father was exiled to Xinzhou in Lingnan. In the early years of the Xianheng era, Huineng traveled north to Caoxi (Baolin Temple), then went to West Stone Rock in Lechang, where he studied Zen under Master Zhiyuan. Guided by Master Zhiyuan, he went to Dongshan Temple in Huangmei, Hubei, to study under the Fifth Patriarch Hongren. Eight months later, Huineng received the Fifth Patriarch’s robe and bowl and returned to Lingnan to establish the Southern Zen School.

The West Stone Rock Temple and cave culture were first built during the Southern Dynasties. By the Tang and Song dynasties, it had become a sacred site respected by Buddhists, Taoists, and Confucians alike. To this day, stone inscriptions from various dynasties can still be seen on the cave walls. Among them, the two characters “枢室” (Pivotal Chamber) inscribed by Lu Yu, the Tea Sage of the Tang Dynasty, are particularly striking. The characters are carved in intaglio, each one square meter in size. There is also a stone stele erected by Gong Bian of the Song Dynasty, inscribed with the “Praise of the Mysterious Emperor.” On the right side of the cave is a liberation pond, where an ancient couplet still remains:

The winding pool reflects the heart’s spring; forms and colors are void as the moon imprints the waves.

The fragrant pavilion faces the cliff; in the stillness of emotion, the wind gives birth to sound.

The most outstanding account of the West Stone Rock landscape is the “Record of Visiting the Lè Stream Stone Chamber Together,” written by Yu Jing, Minister of Works of the Song Dynasty. At that time, in Yueyang, someone named Teng Zijing invited Fan Zhongyan to write the “Yueyang Tower Inscription,” while in Lechang, Magistrate Huang Zijing invited Yu Jing to write the “Record of Visiting the Lè Stream Stone Chamber Together.” Both works have been praised by later generations. A hundred meters in front of West Stone Rock is the “Bo Ling Hall,” the villa of General Xue Yue, Commander of the Ninth War Zone. The Lechang Municipal People’s Government attaches great importance to the restoration of the West Stone Rock scenic area and the West Stone Rock Temple. Urban construction departments are actively planning and accelerating preparations. It can be predicted that the ancient and enduring historical relics of West Stone Rock will be revived and shine brightly once again.

Lecheng Subdistrict: The Lecheng Subdistrict Office was established on July 28, 2003, by the Lechang Municipal Government through the merger of the former Lecheng and Henan towns. It is the first subdistrict office of Lechang City, serving as an agency of the municipal government. Located in downtown Lechang, it is the seat of the Lechang Municipal Government as well as the city’s political, economic, and cultural center. The subdistrict comprises 11 community residents' committees, 1 living management area, and 16 villagers' committees. The total area is 187.74 square kilometers, with a population of 127,000. It borders Langtian Town to the east, connects with Changlai Town to the south, and adjoins Ruyuan County to the west... More details about Lecheng Subdistrict ++