A Tranquil Haven in the Bustle - Baohua Temple

❤Recommended Reason: Baohua Temple was built by the Zen master Jinglun, a disciple of the ancient court ancestor and the 23rd patriarch of the Linji school during the Ming Dynasty. It was rebuilt in the sixth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty; destroyed by an earthquake on May 23rd of the third year of the Yongzheng era, it was immediately rebuilt; during the Tongzhi era, the rebellion led by Du Wenxiu in western Yunnan captured Kunming, and Baohua Temple was destroyed in the flames of war, to be rebuilt again in the ninth year of the Guangxu era, and completed by the twelfth year; after the abdication of the Qing emperor and the establishment of the Republic of China, Baohua Temple ceded part of its wing rooms to establish a school, where many students received their enlightenment; after the founding of the People's Republic of China, Baohua Temple became an elementary school, with monks living in the east wing room outside the central hall, but over time the monks dispersed, and the Buddha statues were completely destroyed, leaving the site abandoned and the temple buildings in disrepair, leading to the near total destruction of Baohua Temple. In the winter of 2001, the venerable monk Chonghua visited the site, saw the destruction and dispersion of the monks, and felt endless sorrow. He then vowed to revive the ancient temple to facilitate cultivation and the practice of the Dharma, and to restore the monastic regulations. Thus, he traveled far and wide, raising funds to buy back 63.1 acres of the original Baohua Temple site, first setting up a thatched shelter as a dwelling, and then cultivating a vegetable garden for self-sufficiency; after five summers of hard work, farming and planting, enduring years of severe cold, both practicing Zen and farming; a few disciples and twenty-one lay followers worked tirelessly; they continued teaching the Dharma without interruption and did not neglect their farming duties. With the efforts of both the monastic and lay communities, and with the support of the lay followers, today a mountain gate hall, a Guanyin hall, a Jieyin hall, a Ksitigarbha hall, and a Many Treasures hall have been built, all shining with dignity. The Dharma hall, the Good Dharma hall, the Wonderful Dharma hall, and the guest hall are arranged in order, with courtyards spanning east to west and halls standing tall and majestic, surrounded by lush flowers and plants. Although small and exquisite, the temple is beautifully radiant. Baohua Temple in Guandu District, Kunming City, now has the 'Three Jewels' complete, a pure monastic community, and is the location of the Guandu District Buddhist Association. It houses a welfare medical institution (Baohua Temple Clinic). The temple maintains strict discipline, and the monastic community is committed to daily morning and evening chanting. With the support of the four types of disciples, the temple is striving to develop into a venue that promotes the Pure Land teachings, conducts Buddhist studies, undertakes charitable activities, and establishes a welfare hospital. The establishment of the temple was not achieved overnight; it was built brick by brick. With the generous support of kind-hearted individuals, the work can be done more efficiently. Those with a willing heart will leave their names in history, their steles will stand immortal, and their fragrance will last for a thousand autumns. 📍Detailed Address: Baohua Temple, Liujia Village, Liujia Township, Guandu District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province 🚗Transportation Strategy: It's not far from the city by car. You can take bus No. 32 or No. 260 to Xiaokang Road Junction (Fubao Station) and walk 800 meters; or take Kunming Metro Line 1, get off at 'Fude Station', and then ride a shared bicycle to Baohua Temple. 🕙Opening Hours: Open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. If there are Dharma assemblies or other activities, the opening hours may be adjusted. 💰Ticket Price: Free admission 🌟Highlights: The couplet inscribed by the abbot, Venerable Chonghua: 'Do not doubt by the pond, know that this water is not that water; as soon as you enter the gate, you reach the peak, do not say there is no mountain higher than this one.' The 'Dragon Pool' inside Buddhism is called Anavatapta, which is our heart pool, our heart sea is the pool. The pool is inside the heart, and the water is within ourselves, not the ordinary water outside, but the water of wisdom inside us. The mountain gate is the highest point; standing at the mountain gate, as soon as you step through, you have already reached the highest point. Do not seek mountains elsewhere; the mountain is within your own heart. 📌Little Tips:◆ Avoid wearing revealing clothing; do not disturb the monks in the pure land of Buddhism; do not take photos of the 'Buddha statues'.