Sword Mountain

　　2. Many students approaching the college entrance or high school exams, along with their parents, often come to the "Manjusri Temple" to burn incense and make wishes. Worshipping Manjusri Bodhisattva has become a psychological support for many students praying for exam success, making this place bustling with incense all year round.

　　Guide

　　Sword Mountain is located in the Langshan Scenic Area in the southern suburbs of the city. The scenic area consists of five mountains: Langshan, Sword Mountain, Junshan, Huangnishan, and Ma’anshan. Though not tall, these mountains are delicately charming and stand out on the flat Jianghai Plain. Moreover, they border the Yangtze River to the south, combining water and mountain views in picturesque beauty.

　　Sword Mountain is the third among the Five Wolf Mountains, with an elevation of 87.33 meters. It is also called Sword Ridge Mountain because its shape resembles an unsheathed sword lying horizontally, and Blade Mountain because its peaks look like knife edges.

　　Introduction

　　Sword Mountain serves as the bodhimanda of Manjusri Bodhisattva in Nantong. Manjusri Bodhisattva is the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge, also known as the “Great Wisdom Manjusri,” and is the left attendant of Sakyamuni Buddha.

　　Reclining Statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva:

　　At the north gate of Sword Mountain stands a reclining statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva, 7.8 meters tall including the base and 13.8 meters long. It is the only one of its kind and the largest reclining statue in China. The entire form is graceful, rounded, simple, solemn, and naturally formed. Carved meticulously by skilled artisans, it is made of imitation bluestone material.

　　Manjusri Bodhisattva is one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas in Chinese Buddhism and is regarded as the foremost. Along with Samantabhadra, Guanyin, and Ksitigarbha, they are collectively known as the “Four Great Bodhisattvas.” Mount Wutai is the bodhimanda of Manjusri Bodhisattva. Together with Mount Emei in Sichuan, Mount Jiuhua in Anhui, and Mount Putuo in Zhejiang, Mount Wutai is known as one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China.

　　Chongyang Pavilion:

　　Originally named “Xuanyan Pavilion,” it was renamed Chongyang Pavilion due to the homophonic similarity between the Nantong dialect word “yan” (檐) and “yang” (阳), and because it was completed just before the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, to express respect and care for the elderly. Here, steep cliffs rise sharply, pine and cypress trees thrive, and from afar you can overlook the branching peaks of Langshan, the hanging pavilions, and the lush green mountain hues. At night, the sight of countless lights creates a serene and prosperous scene. It is a great place for middle-aged and elderly people to cultivate their minds, enjoy the scenery, and relax.

　　Chen Shigong Memorial Stele:

　　Erected in 1986, the 350th anniversary of the death of Mr. Chen Shigong. The stele body is made of black marble. The front is inscribed with: “Memorial Stele of the Outstanding Ming Dynasty Surgeon Mr. Chen Shigong”; the reverse side contains the inscription, handwritten by Nantong calligrapher Wu Mochu. The stele, including its base, is 2.5 meters tall, facing south, surrounded by pine and cypress trees. The environment is solemn and dignified, with elegant and simple carvings, making it a famous cultural landmark on Sword Mountain.

　　Chen Shigong, styled Yuren and also known as Ruoxu, began studying medicine in his youth and practiced surgery for over 40 years, gaining extensive experience. He lived a very frugal life. He had two nicknames: in medicine he was called “Chen the Half-Immortal,” and another nickname was “Chen Half a Peck.” What does “Chen Half a Peck” mean? It refers to the fact that he would only buy half a peck of rice at a time, buying more after finishing what he had. However, with the money he saved through frugality, he built two stone bridges and three wooden bridges in Nantong, totaling five bridges.

　　Other attractions include the Universal Pagoda, the Tomb of Treilick (located in front of the Bodhi Cave southeast of Sword Mountain, where the marble pillar monument on the tomb bears an inscription handwritten by Mr. Zhang Jian), Twin Peaks (located southeast of Sword Mountain), Bodhi Cave (situated at the “Sword Tip” on the southern side of the mountain), Lazy Fish Cave, and Chaoyang Cave.

　　Transportation

　　Located in Swordsman Village, Langshan Town. Accessible by bus from Nantong Long-Distance Bus Station.

　　Sword Mountain