According to inscribed stone tablets, Chao Yuan Cave Temple has ancient origins, but unfortunately, very few of the original stone tablets remain, and there are even fewer historical records of the temple. It flourished greatly during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty and was renovated during the Qing Dynasty. The temple complex faces south and is built on a slope with a well-arranged layout.
The temple’s mountain gate faces east, directly opposite one of Anyang’s Eight Scenic Spots, “Snow Accumulation at the Dragon Gate.” Outside the gate, lush green pines and cypresses glisten with dew, complementing the colorful gate tower. There is also an artificial hill adorned with peculiar rocks and peaks. Two majestic stone lions stand guard by the gate. The three-bay gate tower, also called the Horse Pavilion, features red pillars, colorful eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters. On each side are sculpted divine horses and their attendants, along with statues representing the deities of Time, Sun, Moon, and Year.
Entering the first courtyard, the southern end houses the opera stage, built on a high platform of fine stones supported by carved square stone pillars forming a rolled-roof pavilion. The western end is the Registration Hall, now used as a performance stage. To the north is the Guan Yu Hall, rebuilt in the eighth year of the Shunzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty, featuring a simple and classic antique charm.
Moving forward, you reach the second courtyard. On the eastern and western sides are the Yama Halls, which house statues of the Ten Kings of Hell sitting solemnly and sternly, looking coldly upon all beings. The murals are eerie and frightening, depicting scenes such as being fried in oil, grinding evil spirits, sawing demons, the five ghosts dismembering a body, and the eighteen levels of hell. Although the images are dark and terrifying, they effectively promote the values of punishing evil and promoting good. The central hall is the Zisun Pavilion, containing statues of six bodhisattvas.
The third courtyard features the Vermilion Bird Pavilion on the east side and the Black Tortoise Tower on the west, both constructed in the 20th year of the Qianlong reign. The central hall is Chao Yuan Cave, a unique structure with an upper hall and a lower cave built into the mountain, giving it a distinctive architectural style—it is the main building of the temple. At the cave entrance is a wooden structure with upturned eaves, while the cave itself is built from strip stones, over ten feet high and forty feet deep, forming a massive arched tunnel. Inside are statues of Confucius, Laozi, and Sakyamuni—the revered elders of the three teachings—welcoming worshippers, hence the name “Chao Yuan Cave.” This cave was established during the Ming Dynasty, a time when the convergence of the three teachings was prominent. Above the cave are two additional levels of structures: the middle level is the 0 Hall, and the uppermost level is the Jade Emperor Pavilion. With three tiers of flying eaves and a towering pavilion reaching into the clouds, the structure is majestic and is a rare sight in northern Henan. Inside the Jade Emperor Pavilion, a copper statue of the Jade Emperor, recently installed along with those of the Supreme Deity Tai Bai Jin Xing and Heavenly King Li Jing carrying the pagoda, were added. The Jade Emperor statue stands 2.7 meters tall, weighs 3 tons, faces south with its back to the north, and exudes a grand, solemn, and resplendent presence.
People often refer to Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism as the Three Teachings. In reality, Confucianism, as a philosophical system, stands independently and shares many characteristics with religion in many aspects. However, strictly speaking, it does not possess all the traits of a religion and should therefore be referred to as Confucianism.
The founder of Confucianism is Confucius. Confucianism is one of the most important schools of thought among the Hundred Schools of Thought during the pre-Qin period. Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty advocated “abolishing the hundred schools and solely respecting Confucianism,” the status of Confucian ideology has risen sharply. Confucian classics have become fundamental content for selecting talent in successive feudal dynasties. Even Chinese Buddhists and Taoists, when beginning their education, must study Confucian works such as the Analects and the Book of Songs. The core values of Confucianism include benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, trustworthiness, forgiveness, loyalty, filial piety, and fraternal duty. It is the most influential school of thought in China and also the mainstream consciousness of ancient China. The Confucian school has had a profound impact on China, East Asia, and even the world.
Taoism originated in the early Eastern Han Dynasty, evolving from the Taoist philosophy of the pre-Qin period. Taoism takes “Tao” as the name of its faith, reflecting its belief in “Tao” and its core principles of “Tao” and “Virtue.” Taoism believes that humans can attain Tao and thereby gain Virtue. Taoism venerates Laozi Li Er, the founder of Taoist philosophy from the Spring and Autumn Period, as its supreme deity. The most famous Taoist scripture is Laozi’s “Tao Te Ching.”
Buddhism, one of the world’s three major religions, was introduced to China from India during the Han Dynasty. Over the past nearly two thousand years, it has been the earliest introduced, most widely practiced, and longest-lasting foreign religion in China.
Sakyamuni is the founder of Buddhism. The fundamental doctrines of Buddhism include the “Four Noble Truths,” the “Noble Eightfold Path,” and the “Twelve Nidānas.” The “Four Noble Truths” refer to four truths: First is the “Truth of Suffering,” which states that all experiences in life such as birth, aging, sickness, and death are suffering; second is the “Truth of the Cause of Suffering,” explaining that the root of all suffering lies in desire; third is the “Truth of the Cessation of Suffering,” asserting that all desires must be extinguished to achieve the state of Nirvana, free from birth and death, in order to eliminate suffering and its consequences; fourth is the “Truth of the Path,” indicating that Nirvana can only be reached through the practice of the path, fulfilling the highest ideal of Buddhism. The “Noble Eightfold Path” mainly outlines the eight methods and approaches people should follow to achieve Buddhism’s highest ideals. The “Twelve Nidānas” form the foundational basis of Buddhist cosmology and religious practice.
On both sides of Chao Yuan Cave, steep stone staircases lead up to the higher rear courtyard, known as 0 Top. On the northern side of the rear courtyard is the Bixia Hall, housing copper statues of the Goddess Bixia Yuanjun along with her young attendants, adding radiance to the hall. On the eastern side of the courtyard is a suspended corridor with red pillars and gray tiles, its eaves decorated with paintings. Leaning on the railing, visitors can gaze into the distance, taking in both the distant waters and nearby mountains. Suspended high above, one feels as if floating in the air, as though ascending to immortality.
In recent years, a Dragon Palace has been created inside Chao Yuan Cave, stretching approximately 150 meters with winding paths that shift the scenery as you walk. The cave walls are painted with mythological stories, and the niches hold 24 statues of Dragon Kings. Modern technologies such as sound, light, and electricity have been employed to create electrically animated attractions such as “Snow Accumulation at Dragon Mountain,” “Golden Ox Turning the Mill,” “Dragon Palace Dance and Music,” “Stealing the Ruyi Jingu Bang,” “Thunder God and Lightning Goddess,” and “King Wen’s Eight Trigrams,” offering a unique experience that blends ancient mystery with modern innovation. “Snow Accumulation at Dragon Mountain” condenses the entire landscape of Dragon Mountain into one scene, while “Golden Ox Turning the Mill” brings the legends of Dragon Mountain to life. In the “Dragon Palace Dance and Music” scene, the Dragon King sits majestically while nine fairies stand quietly below the pool. When activated, music begins to play, accompanied by instruments and dancing. The “Thunder God and Lightning Goddess” scene, when triggered, instantly produces the sounds of thunder, rolling clouds, and fierce winds, creating an immersive experience.
Behind the temple, there is a uniquely peculiar rock that emits the sound of a rooster crowing when struck with a stone, resembling “a golden rooster announcing (or crowing) a title (or name),” making it a remarkable natural wonder.
Jiulong Mountain gets its name from its shape, which resembles nine dragons encircling and guarding the area. From the mountaintop of Jiulong Mountain, one can view Chao Yuan Cave, which combines the elegance of ancient architecture—such as upturned eaves, ornamental ridges, and decorative roof tiles—with modern innovative styles. The structure features an upper hall and a lower cave, with inner and outer circulation. Visitors can admire the delicate beauty of the halls while also exploring the serene and mysterious scenery of the dragon cave.
The incense here burns year-round without ceasing. Devotees from nearby villages come to worship and make wishes, which is also a way of praying for a better life.
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/travel-10776