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A Buddhist retreat beckons
By Shi Xiaohan |
September 21, 2011, Wednesday
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BUDDHIST devotees have long been attracted to Hangzhou's temples and other holy sites. For those looking to experience a peaceful lifestyle, hike up Tianzhu Mountain to Lingyin Temple. Here you can eat like a Buddhist, meditate like a Buddhist and learn other aspects of how monks live from day to day.
Lingyin Temple
The temple is always crowded with worshippers, reflecting how Buddhism is a big part of life among Hangzhou people.
The temple's name translates as "Temple of the Soul's Retreat" and it is one of the largest Buddhist temples in China, containing numerous pagodas and grottoes.
The presence of a temple in the area can be traced back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420), when an Indian monk visited the area. He was inspired by the spiritual nature of the scenery and believed the immortals had to live on the mountain.
The monastery features a large number of grottoes and religious rock carvings, the most famous of which is Feilai Peak in front of the main temple. The peak is so-named because it is made of limestone, giving it a craggy appearance very different from the surrounding mountains. Legend holds that the peak was originally from India, but flew to Hangzhou overnight as a demonstration of the power of Buddhism.
Address: 1 Lingyin RdTransport: Take buses No. 7, 807, 837 to Lingyin stop
Admission: Lingyin Temple, 30 yuan (US$4.70); Feilai Peak, 30 yuan
Sipping tea at He Cha Guan
Tea ceremonies are an important part of Hangzhou's Buddhist lifestyle and they illustrate the religion in a simple yet delicate way. Located near the Hangzhou Buddhist Academy, He Cha Guan teahouse is among the best for a true Buddhist tea experience.
The teahouse features sculptures of Buddha and Buddhist objects such as lotuses and beads, making it quite different from Hangzhou's other teahouses.
Owner Pang Yin was originally an antique collector and she opened the teahouse to share her collections with others. However, after opening her first teahouse in the 1990s, Pang found herself in love with the ancient Buddhist wisdom involved in tea culture. Since then, she has visited many tea plantations in the country to perfect her knowledge of tea.
Meals are also served at He Cha Guan, but not according to any menu. All dishes are vegetarian, and are cooked with the freshest local ingredients that the chef finds in the market each day. But to have a truly authentic Buddhist meal, one has to hike to the top of the mountain.
Hangzhou Buddhist Academy
Through Fayun Lane and Zhongfa Road, the hike from Lingyin Temple to the Hangzhou Buddhist Academy is almost effortless. The Hangzhou Buddhist Academy has set up its new campus in this ancient Buddhist village named Fayun. The academy's buildings have a thoughtful blend of tradition and contemporary styles, adding to its picturesque surroundings.
The academy has College of Buddhist Art, College of Buddhist Theories and a research institute for postgraduates. You can see future monks all around campus.
The academy's buildings are normally off-limits to visitors. However, this week the public can attend a free exhibition of artworks.
Date: through September 23, 9am-5pm
Admission: free
A Buddhist meal at Faxi Temple
Faxi Temple, at the top of Tianzhu Mountain, is the most popular destination for Buddhist meals. The simple vegetarian meal is identical to what the monks eat each day. A small portion of rice and seasonal vegetables grown by the monks are served with soup or porridge. It cost only 5 yuan.
The temple, the largest on the mountain, dates back more than 1,000 years. Because the temple is at the top of the mountain, it's not as crowded as Lingyin Temple.
It's a very peaceful and tranquil setting. The temple has traditionally been a place for Buddhist monks to give lectures and exchange ideas.
The temple also provides nice views of the surrounding mountains, forests and creeks.
As the journey ends, consider yourself enlightened.
Admission: 10 yuan
Hours for Buddhist meals: 7am-7:30 am (breakfast), 11am-11:30am (lunch), 5pm-5:30pm (dinner)
Lingyin Temple
The temple is always crowded with worshippers, reflecting how Buddhism is a big part of life among Hangzhou people.
The temple's name translates as "Temple of the Soul's Retreat" and it is one of the largest Buddhist temples in China, containing numerous pagodas and grottoes.
The presence of a temple in the area can be traced back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420), when an Indian monk visited the area. He was inspired by the spiritual nature of the scenery and believed the immortals had to live on the mountain.
The monastery features a large number of grottoes and religious rock carvings, the most famous of which is Feilai Peak in front of the main temple. The peak is so-named because it is made of limestone, giving it a craggy appearance very different from the surrounding mountains. Legend holds that the peak was originally from India, but flew to Hangzhou overnight as a demonstration of the power of Buddhism.
Address: 1 Lingyin RdTransport: Take buses No. 7, 807, 837 to Lingyin stop
Admission: Lingyin Temple, 30 yuan (US$4.70); Feilai Peak, 30 yuan
Sipping tea at He Cha Guan
Tea ceremonies are an important part of Hangzhou's Buddhist lifestyle and they illustrate the religion in a simple yet delicate way. Located near the Hangzhou Buddhist Academy, He Cha Guan teahouse is among the best for a true Buddhist tea experience.
The teahouse features sculptures of Buddha and Buddhist objects such as lotuses and beads, making it quite different from Hangzhou's other teahouses.
Owner Pang Yin was originally an antique collector and she opened the teahouse to share her collections with others. However, after opening her first teahouse in the 1990s, Pang found herself in love with the ancient Buddhist wisdom involved in tea culture. Since then, she has visited many tea plantations in the country to perfect her knowledge of tea.
Meals are also served at He Cha Guan, but not according to any menu. All dishes are vegetarian, and are cooked with the freshest local ingredients that the chef finds in the market each day. But to have a truly authentic Buddhist meal, one has to hike to the top of the mountain.
Hangzhou Buddhist Academy
Through Fayun Lane and Zhongfa Road, the hike from Lingyin Temple to the Hangzhou Buddhist Academy is almost effortless. The Hangzhou Buddhist Academy has set up its new campus in this ancient Buddhist village named Fayun. The academy's buildings have a thoughtful blend of tradition and contemporary styles, adding to its picturesque surroundings.
The academy has College of Buddhist Art, College of Buddhist Theories and a research institute for postgraduates. You can see future monks all around campus.
The academy's buildings are normally off-limits to visitors. However, this week the public can attend a free exhibition of artworks.
Date: through September 23, 9am-5pm
Admission: free
A Buddhist meal at Faxi Temple
Faxi Temple, at the top of Tianzhu Mountain, is the most popular destination for Buddhist meals. The simple vegetarian meal is identical to what the monks eat each day. A small portion of rice and seasonal vegetables grown by the monks are served with soup or porridge. It cost only 5 yuan.
The temple, the largest on the mountain, dates back more than 1,000 years. Because the temple is at the top of the mountain, it's not as crowded as Lingyin Temple.
It's a very peaceful and tranquil setting. The temple has traditionally been a place for Buddhist monks to give lectures and exchange ideas.
The temple also provides nice views of the surrounding mountains, forests and creeks.
As the journey ends, consider yourself enlightened.
Admission: 10 yuan
Hours for Buddhist meals: 7am-7:30 am (breakfast), 11am-11:30am (lunch), 5pm-5:30pm (dinner)
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