Nanputuo Temple

Nanputuo Temple is located at the base of Wulaofeng Mountain (also known as Five Old Men Mountain) in Xiamen, Fujian province. The Temple’s amazing architecture is set against the rugged mountain scenery and the South China Sea which enhances the beauty of the ancient relic and makes it one of the most scenic spots in Fujian province. This Buddhist Temple was originally known as Puzhao Temple and dated back as far as the Tang dynasty (618-907), however during the Ming Dynasty the structure was destroyed during a vicious war. At some point in the Qing Dynasty the ancient structure was again rebuilt to its previous magnificent glory, and subsequently renamed the Nanputuo Temple. Much of its ancient architecture and intricate detail is still in excellent condition; any visit to the Temple is not complete without a visit to explore the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall and Hall of Great Mercy. There are many inscriptions around the temple and behind the temple cliff, which illustrate the long history of the structure. Moreover there is a stone "Buddha" carving located behind the Temple, which reaches an impressive fourteen feet high and ten feet wide. Behind the temple the mountains five peaks, hills and gullies are filled with an array of beautiful animal and plant life. Within the Nanputuo Temple is a famous hallway known as Buddha Hall, which has an impressive tall statue of Buddha III on display. The Middle of Great Mercy Hall is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Mercy. Mahavira Hall established in the 1920s reflects China’s traditional religious ideologies, with detailed statues of the Trinity of the Three Ages. During the Tang Dynasty the Chinese State introduced a policy of religious harmony, and as such Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism religions were to coexist. Mahavira Hall displays the Buddha’s Three Ages; the Buddha of the Present is known as Sakyamuni; Kasyapa is the Buddha of the Past, and Maitreya is the Buddha of the Future is Maitreya. The ground floor of the Temple has the most tranquil atmosphere; historically the ground floor was utilized by the monks when they were faithfully contemplating the differing states of Buddha. The second floor contains some of the temples most ancient relics, the Jade Buddha Hall has 28 religious statues made from Myanmar jade, as well as tens of thousands of Buddhist scriptures depicting the various stages of enlightenment. Any exploration of the ancient temple is not complete without a visit to the nearby ancient structures which include the: Zhonggu Building, Gongde Building, Haihui Building, Puzhao Building, Taixu Library, Buddhism College, Yangzheng Yard, and Wanshou Tower. The Buddhist College was constructed in 1925 and was one of China’s earliest national Buddhist educational facilities. Located in close proximity to the Naputuo Temple is an assortment of ancient style houses known as Suzhai, which have been beautifully preserved. The local food of this area includes the Nanputuo vegetable dishes, which are famous for their pure, simple and unique flavors. The strict use of fresh vegetables and ingredients provide the dishes with a distinctive zest, which makes every meal a great experience. With the continuation of traditional cooking styles, people have journeyed throughout history, to this province to experience the exceptional flavors. Furthermore there have been poets and painters throughout history who have attempted to capture the essence of local cooking styles, the best known example is "Half-Moon Down in River".

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