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Mount Jiuhua - Land of Buddhas and Incense

Mount Jiuhua, Anhui

Mount Jiuhua, the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses in Chinese, is located southwest of Qingyang County, Anhui Province, as one of the four great Buddhist mountains in China (the other three are Mount Emei in Sichuan, Mount Wutai in Shanxi and Mount Putuo in Zhejiang). With the Changjiang River in the north and Mt. Huangshan in the south, Mt. Jiuhua covers an area of 334 square kilometers, of which 120 square kilometers are scenic areas. Mt. Jiuhua, with many peaks and temples, is one of the four famous mountains held sacred by Buddhism in China, and is a state-level scenic spot.

Starting in the Tang Dynasty, temples were built on the mountain, and the renovation or enlargement of old temples lasted for centuries. In its prime, Mount Jiuhua had over 300 temples and 5,000 Buddhist monks and nuns in residence. At present, there are over 50 well-pre-served temples and more than 6,000 Buddha sculptures.

At the foot of the mountain is the vast expansion of fields. Ancient cypresses cover the mountains and hills with various shapes of peaks, and waterfalls and springs. In the early 5th century, Buddhism was introduced there. During the reign of Emperor Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty, Jin Qiaojue from South Korea came to China and stayed for 70 years. He died in 794 m Mt. Jiuhua.

There are more than 80 temples, big or small, in the mountain, of which nine are major temples under state protection. Every year, on the 30th day of the seventh month on lunar calendar, grand temple fairs are held, and last for several days.

Mount Jiuhua

Rising in Qingyang County of Anhui Province, Mount Jiuhua consists of ninety-nine peaks, among the most magnificent being Heavenly Terrace (Tiantai), Lotus Flower (Lianhua), Sky Pillar (Tianzhu), and Ten Kings (Shiwang).

The area around the mountain is secluded -- a quiet landscape of streams, cascades, crags, caves, pines, and bamboos. Tang Dynasty and culminated in the Ming and Qing dynasties, when with over three hundred temples and monasteries enveloped in coiling incense smoke, Mount Jiuhua became known as the "land of Buddhas and incense." At present 78 temples remain, including Huacheng, Flawless Monk, Hujiu, and Baisui temples, which house thousands of statues and relics such as Buddhist sutras and jade seals.

The skeleton of Monk Wu Xia of the Ming Dynasty in a sitting position is well-preserved on the mountain. The monk lived in a cave and subsisted on wild fruits and spring water until his death at the age of 126.

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