A must-visit place for meditation and self-cultivation: Qingyuan Mountain in Ji'an, Jiangxi.
On an early autumn morning, I drove 15 km from my hotel, Ji'an Grandland International Hotel, to Qingyuan Mountain Scenic Area in the southeast direction of the city. I arrived at the scenic area parking lot in 30 minutes. On a Monday morning, the empty parking lot was deserted. I entered the free scenic area alone and enjoyed the fresh air and serene mountain scenery of early autumn.
"Qingyuan Mountain is high in the clouds, and the Luo River is free of dust." Qingyuan Mountain, known as the "No. 1 Scenic Spot in Jiangxi", is only 320 meters above sea level and is composed of many small mountain peaks, including Elephant Trunk Peak, Lion Peak, Jade Belt Peak, Emerald Screen Peak, and Camel Peak. The mountain is lush with trees, with emerald pools and waterfalls, and winding paths, making it a beautiful sight. After walking for about ten minutes from the entrance of the scenic area, I arrived at the "Zu Guan" of Jingju Temple. In the first year of the Shenlong era of the Tang Dynasty (705 AD), the Zen master Xingsi, a disciple of the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, built a temple here, initially named "An'yin Temple", and changed to Jingju Temple in the fourth year of the Chongning era of the Song Dynasty (1105 AD). Jingju Temple is the ancestral court of the Qingyuan School of Zen Buddhism, and from here, the Caodong, Yunmen, and Fayan Schools of Zen Buddhism were formed. The temple has been renovated for generations, and now has the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Vairocana Pavilion, the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Hall of Buddha Recitation, the Sutra Library, the Medicine Tree Hall, the Left and Right Zen Rooms, and the Seven Patriarchs Pagoda Pavilion on the hillside behind the temple. The temple covers an area of about 10,000 square meters, and its solemn and secluded environment is an excellent place for meditation and self-cultivation.
After leaving the temple and crossing the bridge, I arrived at the Yangming Academy. In the fifth year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1510 AD), Wang Yangming was appointed as the magistrate of Luling. As soon as he took office, he reduced the harsh taxes and miscellaneous fees on the common people, earning him a good reputation. Although he only served in Luling for half a year, he was highly respected by people from all walks of life. The "Learning of Conscience" was proposed by him when he gave lectures at the Qingyuan Mountain Guild Hall with Zou Shouyi (from Anfu, Ji'an). Wang Yangming's lectures at Qingyuan Mountain laid the foundation for the development of Jiangyou philosophy, and Luling was known as the "Land of Rationalism". In the nineteenth year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1839 AD), Lu Chunru, the prefect of Ji'an, first proposed the construction of the Yangming Academy on the north side of Jingju Temple, facing the temple across the creek. After the academy was built, he "encouraged donations and storage fees, built a library, and selected outstanding students from the nine counties of Ji'an to study, promoting the spirit of Confucianism and continuing the literary tradition of Luling". In the eighth year of the Tongzhi era (1869 AD), Li Xingyuan, the governor of Jizhou, repaired the Yangming Academy. The academy was closed when the imperial examinations were abolished during the Guangxu era. The present Yangming Academy covers an area of 12 mu and was restored in October 2012 according to the old system. The academy is full of ancient charm, with a gate, Chuanxin Hall, and Five Sages Temple on the central axis. Walking here, I felt as if I had traveled through time and space.
According to the scenic area information, the entire Qingyuan Mountain Scenic Area covers an area of 19.4 square kilometers, with 35 pools, springs, streams, and gorges. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been a popular scenic spot for literati and scholars. To this day, there are inscriptions left by Du Fu, Yan Zhenqing, Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Wen Tianxiang, Li Gang, Zhou Bida, Hu Quan, Xie Jin, Yang Shiqi, and others. Due to the itinerary arrangement, I did not continue to climb the mountain. In just 90 minutes, I visited the "Sudden Enlightenment Zen" of Master Xingsi and the "Learning of Conscience" of Mr. Wang Yangming, and learned about the brilliant Luling culture. After returning to the hotel in a hurry, I left Ji'an.
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