Zen Forest Serenity: The Vibrant Life of Caoxi Stream and Ancient Trees
The natural environment of Nanhua Temple itself contains Zen spirit.
- The waters of Caoxi: Caoxi, in front of the temple, is the soul of Nanhua Temple. The stream flows gently, crystal clear, and is the very "Dharma water" that the monk Zhiyao praised and that Master Huineng washed his bowl with. It symbolizes the long and clear lineage of Zen Buddhism.
- Ancient and Famous Trees: Ancient trees tower both inside and outside the temple, especially the ancient water pines and camphor trees behind the main hall, which are over five hundred years old. The most famous of these is the lychee tree planted by the Sixth Patriarch himself. Although it has been a thousand years, it is still lush and leafy, and is regarded as a "sacred tree". Walking among them, the lush greenery provides a cool and tranquil environment, making it an excellent path for "Zen walking".
- Release Pond and Gardens: The temple's release pond is as wide as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and the eaves of the halls, adding to the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. The secluded gardens behind the temple are a perfect place for quiet contemplation.
A cultural treasure—a temple of art and faith that has been enshrined for millennia.
Every building and every artifact here carries a profound history and supreme faith.
- The Sixth Patriarch Hall and the True Body Relic: The core of the entire temple. The hall enshrines the "true body" (lacquered and hempen statue) of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng. This mummified body relic, which is over a thousand years old, has a serene expression and is one of the most precious cultural relics in the history of Chinese Buddhism. Countless believers pay homage here and feel the Dharma lineage that transcends time and space.
- Lingzhao Pagoda: Originally built in the Tang Dynasty to enshrine the true body of the Sixth Patriarch. The five-story, octagonal pagoda is one of the oldest buildings in Nanhua Temple, simple and solemn.
- The Grand Hall and the Five Hundred Arhats: The Three Jewels Buddha and the colossal statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined in the hall are solemn and compassionate. Even more astonishing are the five hundred Northern Song Dynasty wooden Arhat statues on both sides of the hall. These Arhat statues are diverse in form, vivid in expression, and lifelike. They represent the pinnacle of Chinese Song Dynasty wood carving art and are hailed as "Oriental art treasures".
- The Sutra Repository and Precious Cultural Relics: The repository houses the original imperial edict from the first year of Wu Zetian's Wansui Tongtian reign (696 AD), the Yuan Dynasty's "Bestowed Inscription," and a large number of precious cultural relics such as blood-written scriptures and gold embroidery, silently telling the glorious history of the temple.
- Zhuoxi Spring (Jiulong Spring): Legend has it that this is where the Sixth Patriarch washed his robes. The spring water is clear, sweet, and never runs dry, and is regarded as a "sacred spring".
Photography and Etiquette Tips:
Best viewpoints: From the release pond, you can capture the complete reflection of Lingzhao Pagoda and the Mahavira Hall; from outside Caoxi Gate, you can capture a panoramic view of the temple nestled against the mountain and beside the water.
Important rule: Taking photos or videos of Buddha statues (especially the mummified body of the Sixth Patriarch) is strictly prohibited inside the hall as a sign of respect. Please take photos of the exterior of the buildings outside the hall. Photos of the temple gardens, ancient trees, and details of the exterior architecture are permitted.
A tranquil experience: In the early morning or afternoon, sunlight filters through the ancient trees, making the temple exceptionally peaceful and a perfect opportunity to soak in the atmosphere and capture the interplay of light and shadow.
