From Bailu Road to the Botanical Garden, a journey of spiritual cleansing through mountains and Buddhist temples – Bailudong Temple | Huxi Zen Temple
When visiting Xiamen, the renowned Nanputuo Temple is a must-see.
On the same mountain, but in a different direction, Bailudong Temple, Donglin Ancient Site, and Huxi Temple are also worth a visit.
Overlooking the Xiamen Botanical Garden and the Bell and Drum Cableway.
Bailudong Temple in Xiamen is a tranquil Buddhist temple with a rich historical background. It is located on the south side of Yuping Mountain on Xiamen Island (Bailu Road, Siming District), adjacent to the famous Huxi Rock.
The most attractive feature of this temple is its fusion of academy culture and religious beliefs, and it boasts one of Xiamen's famous "Eight Minor Scenic Spots".
Historical Origins: From Academy to Temple
Origin of Name: Legend has it that a famous scholar of the Tang Dynasty lectured at Bailudong in Lushan. During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Lin Maoshi, a scholar from Xiamen, expanded the stone chamber here. In the early Qing Dynasty, a pavilion was built here to commemorate the Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi. Because Zhu Xi rebuilt the Bailudong Academy in Lushan, Jiangxi, this place in Xiamen was also named "Bailudong".
A blend of civil and military significance: During the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, General Wu Ying built the Wenchang Hall here, which later gradually evolved into a Buddhist temple. During the Qianlong era, it was converted into the "Yuping Academy," leading to an interesting history of "monks and students vying for land," until Buddhism flourished again in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China.
White Deer in Mist (One of Xiamen's Eight Minor Scenic Spots): Inside a stone cave behind the Sanbao Hall, there is a lifelike clay sculpture of a white deer. Every late spring and early summer, when the air humidity is high, mist often rises from the crevices in the rocks, resembling a white deer exhaling smoke, hence the name "White Deer in Mist."
Cliff Inscriptions: Many stone inscriptions from the Ming and Qing Dynasties adorn the cliff behind the temple, possessing high historical value. The most famous are the inscriptions by Ming Dynasty generals Zhu Yifeng and Zhao Yu, recording their "Supervising the Suppression of Barbarians," documenting the history of resisting foreign enemies.
Stone Chambers and Caves: Besides the main cave, there are also Wanzai Cave, Liuhe Cave, and Chaotian Cave, among others. The winding terrain evokes the feeling of a "paradise on earth."
Huxi Temple is a historically significant ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism and a famous tourist attraction.
Below is a summary of key points about Huxi Temple:
1. Historical Background and Origin
Founded in the Ming Dynasty: The temple was first built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (approximately the early 17th century), initially named "Yuping Temple."
The Name "Huxi" (Tiger Creek): Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a stone cave (Tiger Cave) in the valley, inhabited by tigers. A clear spring flowed below the cave, forming a stream, hence the name.
Relationship with "The Three Laughs of Tiger Creek": Due to its similar landscape to the "Three Laughs of Tiger Creek" story at Donglin Temple in Lushan, Jiangxi, it is also known as "Donglin Temple."
Rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty: During the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, Wu Ying, the Admiral of the Fujian Navy, donated funds for its reconstruction and invited the eminent Huangbo Zen monk, Master Yuanfei, to preside over the project. From then on, it became the ancestral temple of the Huangbo Zen Linji school in Xiamen.
2. Core Attraction: Tiger Creek Moonlit Night
This is one of the famous "Eight Great Scenic Spots of Xiamen."
Legendary Scene: Inside the layered cave, there is a sculpture of a fierce tiger. Every year on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, when the full moon rises, the moonlight shines into the cave, landing precisely on the tiger's head. It is said that the tiger's eyes will then gleam with a powerful light, appearing ready to leap, hence the name "Tiger Creek Moonlit Night."
3. Architectural and Natural Features
Built into the Mountain: The temple architecture blends perfectly with the mountain rocks. Many halls are built directly using natural stone caves, giving it a deep, rugged, and ancient feel.
Cliff Inscriptions: Numerous inscriptions and carvings by renowned figures from the Ming and Qing dynasties (such as "Lengceng" and "Motian") adorn the rock face, possessing significant historical and cultural value.
Topographical Landscape: Nearby attractions include "A Line of Sky," "Tiger Crossing Bridge," and "Flying Whale Rock," suitable for hikers and those who enjoy cultural exploration.