Xingfu Zen Temple

I had heard about the Xingfu Temple in Changshu a long time ago, because a friend said he would take me to taste the best 'Xingfu Temple Mushroom Oil Noodles'. He might have forgotten after saying that, but it was not until today that I sought out the flavor and personally tasted this fragrant, rich soup and fresh noodles, a delicacy of the Jiangnan region! What's even more unforgettable is the dense shade canopies surrounding the noodle shop, the bustling diners, the grandma selling white orchids and loquats, and the male and female technicians providing shoulder massages for the customers. This lively scene full of life at Xingfu is all because of these 'Mushroom Oil Noodles', which have caused the place to thrive and prosper. After enjoying the delicious food, I then entered the Xingfu Temple to experience the Buddhist Zen atmosphere. Xingfu Temple was called 'Poshan Temple' during the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era. The poem 'Inscription on the Back of the Poshan Temple' by the poet Chang Jian, 'Entering the ancient temple in the early morning, the first sun shines on the tall woods. The winding path leads to a secluded spot, the Zen rooms are deep with flowers and trees. The mountain light pleases the birds, the pond reflection empties the mind. All sounds are utterly silent, only the bell and chime resonate,' has made the ancient temple even more famous, becoming one of the four great famous temples in the south of the Yangtze River. After touring the entire temple, I sat by the Hulutan Pond north of the Hollow Heart Pond, sipping tea and admiring the turtles, and suddenly grasped the Zen meaning of 'the pond reflection empties the mind'!