Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone in Sanya

　　Known in ancient times as "Ao Mountain," it is located at the southern tip of Hainan Island, China, standing about 500 meters high and resembling a giant turtle. One thousand two hundred years ago, Jianzhen, a renowned Buddhist monk of the Tang Dynasty, drifted to Nanshan after encountering danger during his fifth attempt to sail to Japan. He stayed in Nanshan for a year and a half, during which he built temples, preached Buddhism, and spread the Dharma. His sixth attempt to reach Japan was eventually successful. The Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone in Sanya has been designated by the China National Tourism Administration as a “Priority Project for the Development of China’s Tourism Industry.” It is situated in the western part of Sanya, China’s only tropical coastal city, and is a rare large-scale cultural and ecological tourism destination in the country. The planned area of the park spans fifty square kilometers, including over ten square kilometers of sea area. The overall planning was carried out by the International Urban Design firm from New York, USA, with a feasibility report provided by an American economic consulting company. The content planning of the project was completed respectively by the China Buddhist Culture Research Institute, the Chinese Folklore Society, the National Museum of Chinese History, the Central University for Nationalities, the Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences, and the Ecology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This project is a key construction initiative in Hainan Province and has been awarded by the province as the “Hainan Provincial Ecological Construction Demonstration Project” and the “Hainan Provincial Eco-Tourism Demonstration Scenic Area.” It has also garnered significant attention from central government departments, the Buddhist community, and the cultural sector. Its completion fills a gap in Hainan’s historical and cultural tourism, further highlights Hainan’s advantages in eco-tourism, and adds luster to China’s tourism industry.

　　Before even entering the park, visitors can spot a towering, ancient-style gate that stands majestically. This is the entrance to the Nanshan scenic area—the “Gate of Non-Duality,” featuring architectural styles from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, exuding extraordinary presence and vitality. What is meant by “Non-Duality”? Let us explain:

　　It is said that in Buddhism, there are 84,000 Dharma gates, but the Gate of Non-Duality is considered the foremost. Once one passes through this gate, they enter the state of Nirvana, transcending life and death, and thus attain Buddhahood. Of course, this refers to a state of mind rather than a physical space. A Dharma gate can be understood as a method or path; all practitioners who follow such a path diligently can eventually achieve enlightenment. Since it is described as a state of mind, what kind of philosophy does it embody? Non-Duality is a profound concept that is difficult to fully articulate in words. Simply put, it is neither one nor two, without distinction between self and other—that is Non-Duality. Buddhism teaches that although all things in the world may appear vastly different in form, they are ultimately undifferentiated in terms of Buddha-nature. They are merely the result of causes and conditions, and are ultimately empty and illusory, without relativity or absoluteness.

　　Legend has it that in ancient India, there was a man named Vimalakirti, a famous lay follower of the Buddha Shakyamuni and also a great bodhisattva. What set Vimalakirti apart from other bodhisattvas was that while others were celibate, Vimalakirti not only had a wife and concubines but also owned vast estates and farmlands, making him a wealthy local figure. Yet, he was sincerely devoted to the Buddha, diligently practiced the Dharma, and actively participated in worldly affairs. His behavior—being both a householder and a practitioner—was truly puzzling. Once, he claimed to be ill, and the Buddha sent his disciple Manjushri and others to visit and engage him in a great debate on the truth of the Dharma. Vimalakirti responded to their questions with his profound Buddhist knowledge and exceptional eloquence. He argued that as long as the mind is pure, the land is pure. Although he had a family and property, his heart was not clouded by greed. Though his actions differed from those of other bodhisattvas, he was indeed pursuing the truth of the Buddha’s path. Therefore, nothing should be confined to formality, but rather depends on how one applies the wisdom of Prajna in daily life. Thus, he demonstrated the Non-Duality of monastic and lay life. At the end of the discussion, Manjushri asked Vimalakirti, “So what do you think Non-Duality truly is?” Upon hearing this, Vimalakirti closed his eyes and said nothing. Manjushri praised, “Marvelous—what is beyond words and language is the true Non-Duality.” From this, we can understand that Non-Duality itself is emptiness, the absolute truth. It is so profound that to truly grasp it, we must slowly contemplate and comprehend it ourselves.

　　Buddhism teaches that although all things in the world may appear vastly different in form, they are ultimately undifferentiated in terms of Buddha-nature. They are merely the result of causes and conditions, and are ultimately empty and illusory, without relativity or absoluteness. The natural beauty of Nanshan is extraordinary, not only because of its superior geographical location, but also due to the beautiful myths and folklore associated with it. In this rare place—a “genetic base” where all things in the world converge—it is said that blessings and longevity are abundant. The natural features here form natural pathways and barriers, defining the area’s importance. It forms a natural and prominent support for Sanya City to the west of Sanya Bay. Legend has it that it was on Nanshan that the Bodhisattva Guanyin, the Savior of Suffering, rescued the local residents and coastline from a disaster. It was here that the monk Jianzhen was obstructed on his journey to Japan to spread Buddhism and drifted to Nanshan. It was also here that Huang Daopo pioneered a new era in the textile industry and continued the legacy of the famous “Silk Road.”