Cloud Peak Temple Scenic Spot at Mianshan Moountain
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E-mail China.org., April 15, 2016
The temple is visited by many worshipers, indicating the high the position that the King of Immateriality Buddha holds the in hearts of those who visit Mianshan. His shrine was made of carved bluestones and maintains its original Tang dynasty architectural style. It is also called Stone Buddha Hall. It is highly valued as a cultural relic.
The couplet hung on the columns of the hall explains how Tian Zhichao achieved Buddhahood after many years of devotedly practicing Buddhism. The clay statue containing the real earthly remains of Zhichao is placed in the center of the hall, flanked by Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas. After several centuries, the Buddha still silently blesses the people of Mianshan.
The Hall of the Vidyarajas (Wisdom Kings) is another valuable Tang dynasty cultural relic at Cloud Peak Temple. The hall is made of stone and was built in the Zhenguan reign period of the Tang dynasty. The two stone carvings on the outside walls of the hall record the story of how Zhichao lived as a monk and become the King of Immateriality Buddha. On the left is a piece of Buddhist poetry that tells the legend of how heaven gifted Tian Zhichao with a cassock and assigned Bodhisattvas to dwell with him after he became a Buddha. The carvings on the Hall of the Vidyarajas also record the historical facts of how the Emperor Taizong granted Zhichao the title of Buddha and commissioned the construction of the temple.
The hall enshrines 10 Vidyarajas, who are wrathful manifestations of Buddhas and the guardians of Buddhism. They have perfect wisdom and can destroy all demons. Of all the ancient temple structures still standing in Mianshan, the Hall of the Vidyarajas is the most intact and in the best condition, and the sculptures that decorate it are truly invaluable works of art. The long and narrow hall covers only 20-30 square meters. It showcases statues of the 10 Wisdom Kings that display their invincible powers and the magnificence of the worlds of the Buddhas. Three levels of worlds are shown: heaven, hell and the mortal world. Sculptures of the Eastern Pure Land of Pure Lapis Lazuli, Sakyamuni's Saha World and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss stand at the top level of the temple amid sculptures of miniature heavenly palaces, towers, bridges, auspicious clouds and colorful flowers. Images of 68 deities also peek out from among the carved clouds. Below this are statues of the 10 Vidyarajas demonstrating their powers and showcasing their muscular forms. The magnificent and historic hall is unparalleled in Shanxi Province and perhaps in all of China.
Cloud Peak Temple also has a hall dedicated to a goddess of childbearing who truly answers prayers. According to legend, the goddess practiced religious devotion and became a deity together with her brother Zhang Xian at the Guangsi Ravine, which also known as the Cave of Begging for Children. When people found their wishes were granted by the goddess, they happily built a shrine to her. Although the shrine is small, its reputation ensures that it is always filled with worshipers and offerings. In ancient times, people often went there to pray despite the difficult journey required to reach the shrine. Nowadays transportation is more convenient, so more and more people come here begging for children.
There are several more Buddhist halls at Cloud Peak Temple such as the Hall of Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha), the Hall of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the Hall of the Five Dragons, and the Hall of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. Each one has its own unique features. There are also many natural spaces within the Cloud Peak Temple complex that served as sites for meditation and religious devotions.
The setting of the cave was where Tian Zhichao practiced his Buddhist devotions on Mianshan Moutain has been maintained in its original state. The cave has a mysterious atmosphere and a peaceful environment. The stone walls are also carved with inscriptions of Buddhist scriptures written in a Tang dynasty style.
The upper level of Baofu Rock is where monks practiced Buddhism at that time. They dug small holes into the face of the cliff that they would use as their personal residential and devotional space. Wooden walkways hammered into the rock connect these small crevices. When people walk up there and look out, they will feel like they are in the fairyland overlooking the mortal world.
Inside Baofu Cave is a natural spring is called Dragon Pond. It never dries up, even during times of drought, and it never overflows when there is heavy rain. The spring is also so crystal clear that you can easily see right to its bottom. It is said that the spring is the incarnation of five dragons that were converted to Buddhism and has magical powers. Usually, it provides water for monks in the temple, and when drought comes, people often pray for rain at the pond.
Iron Chain Mountain Ridge has the oldest chain path ever built for people to climb the cliff. The iron chains and ladder below Iron Chain Mountain Ridge were first hung before the Tang dynasty, and they were famously climbed by the well-known Tang dynasty poet He Zhizhang when he visited the mountain.
You won’t be able to fully understand the wonder of the mountain’s shape if you don't go inside Baofu Rock Cave. When you look at the halls and shrines of Cloud Peak Temple from caves inside the caves, you will finally understand that this place is truly an exceptional paradise. The Buddhist culture that has given rise to this marvelous setting has been protecting and blessing the people here for thousands of years, and the people have found their own ways to express their gratitude to the Buddha, too.
The steep cliffs of Baofu Rock are covered in countless bells wrapped hung from the rock face with red ribbons. When people have their wishes fulfilled after praying at Cloud Peak Temple, they come back to hang bells there as way of fulfilling their vows to show gratitude. The first bell to be hung from Mianshan's face was given in 641 A.D. by the Tang dynasty's Taizong Emperor, who asked his entourage to hang a bell there after his prayer for rain was answered. Over the centuries, Mianshan has maintained the tradition of hanging bells to fulfill the vows people pledged to the Buddhas.
During every temple fair, devotees who come to make wishes or redeem vows will hire professionals to raise brave bell-hangers into the air and swing them into the cave. The bell-hangers will use iron hooks to cling to the upper cliffs while they tie and hang the bells. After is the bell hanging is complete, firecrackers are set off and a band plays drums and musical instruments on the ground below. It is very thrilling and exciting to see the amazing bell-hanging, and the celebration that follows is always lively and boisterous.
