We had class at 9:00 am again this morning after which we packed our own lunches and boarded the Hwa Nan bus to Gushan (Drum) mountain. We thought our bus driver could drive us up to the top of the mountain, but they required us to take their shuttle buses to the top.
The clouds and the mist had not lifted from the mountain tops. It gave the Yongquan temple a mysterious appeal.
The temple was first built in 783 AD and has all the requisite Buddhist temple features including the guardian lions. Usually there are two lions; the male holds a ball while the female lion is accompanied by a cub. Their job it to protect the temple from harmful spirits.
The purpose of the pagoda is as a repository for important Buddhist scriptures or sacred relics.
The laughing Buddha is often one of the first Buddha-looking statues to greet you in a temple. He is actually thought to be the representation of a well-known monk. He symbolizes good luck and fortune.
Wrathful Benevolent Kings often stand guard at the entrance to Chinese temples. Many times there are four of them guarding evil spirits from different directions. Note this King stomping on the head of an evil spirit. During the Cultural Revolution, the Red Guard removed the evil spirits but retained the Kings in this temple indicating that the Communist Red Guards could handle the evil spirits.
This temple has over 25 rooms and halls. Benchun came and stayed here as a young child during the Great Leap Forward. He was very grateful that the monks fed him because his family had very little food at home.
We hiked down the mountain through a ravine filled with famous Chinese calligraphied couplets. Benchun wanted to read and comment on many of them.
The hike was over two miles, some of it slippery and long enough for Benchuan to need to stop and rest his legs.
Next time we'll take the Area Code 253 cable car down!
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