Temple of the Holy Monk

　　The Temple of the Holy Monk is situated in Qilihé Village, She County. It was originally constructed during the Wude era (618–626) of the Tang Dynasty. The temple got its name from the monk Huiming, who was known for curing eye diseases and thus honored as a holy monk. The structure has undergone multiple renovations over the centuries, resulting in significant changes to its layout. The current complex consists of the main hall, worship hall, courtyard, monks’ quarters, and a patio. Covering a total area of nearly 300 square meters, the temple is surrounded by lush woods and bamboo, offering a tranquil environment.

　　The interior walls of the temple feature murals painted during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty by Huang Zhu, a painter from She County. These murals are located on the walls of the main hall and the side chambers. The rear wall of the main hall depicts the “Side-Seated Guanyin”; the left side chamber features a continuous mural of the “Nine Arhats and Nine Dragons,” while the right side chamber showcases a continuous mural of the “Nine Arhats Taming the Tiger.” Both continuous murals are divided into three separate scenes by pillars. The steps of the worship hall are flanked by murals on either side: the “Pine Tree Painting” and the “Cypress Tree Painting.” Currently, the “Pine Tree Painting” on the right wall no longer exists, but the rest are well preserved. In particular, the “Cypress Tree Painting” stands out for its dynamic interplay of branches and its bold, forceful brushwork.