Wu'an Qingyan Temple

　　Qingyan Temple, also known as the Fahua Cave Grottoes, is located one kilometer east of Qingyan Temple Village in Shidong Township, Wu'an, Hebei. Nestled within a quiet mountain valley surrounded by dense forests and free from the noise of traffic, "it is fitting as a celestial abode for immortals, and fitting as a sacred site for Buddhas." Ascend the stone steps to reach the temple. In front of the temple lies a small cypress grove, where the occasional echo of temple bells lingers. Amidst the sound of bells, the fatigue and worries from the climb are washed away. And in the wake of the bell chimes, one suddenly senses that the profound silence of the ancient mountain temple might just be a form of stillness itself. The village is named after the temple, and the township is called Shidong after the cave.

　　The temple is built against the mountain, which is called Fahua Mountain, hence the grottoes are also referred to as the Fahua Cave. The original structures within the temple have been lost due to years of neglect. Within the courtyard, remnants such as grottoes, stone statues, stone offering tables, stone steles, and stone pillars can still be found.

　　The grotto is carved into the eastern cliff face on the left side of the temple courtyard, facing west. In front of the cave is a modern wooden porch, the cave entrance is slightly collapsed, and there is a relatively large window above the entrance.

　　Inside the cave is an irregularly shaped rectangular structure. Due to weathering and cracking of the rock, various walls and the ceiling have suffered varying degrees of damage and displacement, and none of the surfaces are smooth. On either side of the disciples’ statues, two seated bodhisattva statues are placed near the left and right walls. The left bodhisattva is seated in half-lotus posture on a four-tiered inverted lotus square base, with a well-proportioned and full-bodied form. She wears a necklace, a double-layered robe with cascading collars, her chest and abdomen exposed, holding a vase in her left hand and a willow branch in her right—she is likely Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). The right bodhisattva is also seated in half-lotus on a square base, with bare feet, a slightly flattened upper body, dressed in elaborate attire, with both hands held in prayer. Outside these two bodhisattvas, on each side, stands a Vajra warrior statue clad in armor, with a robust and mighty build, exuding power and valor.

　　The left wall of the cave is the most exquisitely carved section, mainly divided into three groups. The upper parts of the side walls feature a Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin, while the lower part depicts a scene of monks making offerings, and the eastern side shows a group of arhat statues. Though damaged and cracked due to rock deterioration, the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin carving remains well-preserved. At the center sits the deity, cross-legged on a lotus pedestal. She wears a seven-jeweled crown with a miniature Buddha image embedded. Her round and refined facial features are intricately carved with exceptional detail. Her hands are clasped in prayer at her chest, while countless arms extend from both sides of her body, each palm bearing an eye and holding various ritual implements in different gestures—such as *** bows, vases, jewels, prayer beads, willow branches, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, banners, coins, the Buddha, Buddhist scriptures, sutra boxes, treasure mountains, and more. Behind the high-relief arms, similar to the deity’s halo, are densely layered palms beyond count. Flanking the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin are two guardian figures, standing with bows drawn, wearing mountain-shaped hairstyles, with tense and solemn expressions, their fingers in sword gestures, crossed over their chests, and backed by cloud and circular halos. Further behind are three more guardian figures, only their upper bodies visible, with square faces, tall crowns, and hands in prayer.

　　Below the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin is a scene depicting monks making offerings. This section includes six carved figures, with the central monk figure slightly taller, his body slightly twisted to the left. His left hand hangs naturally at his side, resting on his robe. His right arm is bent at the chest, hand in a single prayer gesture. Behind him are three plain monks with simple round halos and a standing inscribed plaque without text. To his rear are three shorter monks, all facing west—either in prayer, holding basins, or carrying flowers. To the left of the main monk figure is an inscription reading “Disciple Yonghai, who chanted scriptures,” possibly added later. In front of the main monk are two additional figures holding objects, though their legs are missing.

　　Below the monk offering scene are three tiers of arhat carvings, all in cross-legged posture, wearing double-layered robes and displaying various hand gestures. The eastern side of the left wall is entirely covered with arhat figures from top to bottom, mostly in meditation poses and varying in size. Though the main wall of the cave is heavily weathered, the remaining surface is still filled with cross-legged arhats. The right wall is similarly covered with arhat figures, generally slightly larger than those on the left, with diverse postures. Many bear inscriptions from patrons. Notable among the right-wall arhats are “Han Ya of Xingcao Village” and “Hao Yu of Yiquan Village carving one arhat.”

　　At the base of the cave’s inner walls, four standalone round sculptures of Buddhas or bodhisattvas remain, mostly fragmented. Their original positions are unknown, but their style suggests they were carved during the Song Dynasty.

　　On the cave ceiling is a protruding, hanging rock with a relatively flat surface bearing an inscription read vertically from right to left: “... Hui Chao, upon hearing of Wang Shigu Temple’s Guanyin, vowed to contribute to the renovation and construction of the stone hall. Carved in the 7th year of the Taiping Xingguo era (982), on the 19th day. Later, 500 arhats were added, along with Guanyin, Dingguang, and the Great Mercy, completed by the 2nd day of the 2nd month in the 2nd year of the Yongxi era (985). Recorded by benefactor Fahua Li Hui Chao.” Beneath this inscription is another: “—Benefactor and Mountain Guardian Zhijian —Benefactor and Offering Sponsor Fayan, stele created in the 2nd year of the Wanli era for mountain offerings...”

　　Within the Qingyan Temple courtyard, three stone steles, a Ming Dynasty stone offering table, a stone elephant, and a stone pillar are preserved. The pillar is carved with five arhat figures and bears the inscription “Work commenced on the 3rd day of the 3rd month in the 47th year of the Wanli era.” The stone offering table is engraved with patterns of dragons, phoenixes, lions, and qilin.

　　Transportation Guide

　　Location: Northeast of Qingyan Temple Village, Shidong Township, Wu'an City, Hebei Province

　　Getting There: Take a bus from Wu'an to Shidong Township, get off at Gucheng Overpass, then transfer to a minibus to Qingyan Temple Village.