Anyue Pilu Temple | A Millennium Stone Carving Secret, Home to an Unsolved "Celestial Book Couplet"

| A Millennium Stone Carving Secret, Home to an Unsolved "Celestial Book Couplet." 🚩 Historical Significance
Pilu Temple, located in Anyue County, Sichuan, was first built during the Later Shu period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (Guangzheng 24th year), with a history of over a thousand years! It is not only an important site for Sichuan Esoteric Buddhism but also one of the core representatives of the "Anyue Stone Carvings," boasting 465 exquisite statues, including the famous Liu Benzun's "Ten Refinements" grotto. It tells the story of layman Liu Benzun's arduous cultivation to become a Buddha in the late Tang Dynasty. There are only three such sites in the country, making it extremely precious!

🔍 Mysterious "Celestial Book Couplet"
Outside the temple, there are two couplets. Legend has it that one who can match the second line will receive a treasure! The first couplet has been deciphered: "Neither outside nor inside nor in the middle" matches "Not a celestial nor a Buddha nor a thing," full of Zen wisdom. However, the second couplet remains unsolved to this day. The characters resemble "bird and animal script" or "dragon and phoenix script," leaving even experts scratching their heads, making it one of the most difficult couplets in China!

🎨 Pinnacle of Stone Carving Art
The Thousand Buddha Cave in Pilu Temple is incredibly stunning! The 316 small Buddha statues in the circular niches are engraved with the names of the donors, each holding different objects, full of secular interest. The main Buddha, the Three Saints of Huayan (or the Three Saints of the West), is solemn and exquisite, with flowing robes and delicate jewelry. The Song Dynasty carving technique reached its peak, earning it the reputation of being "ancient, numerous, exquisite, and beautiful."

💡 Travel Tips
- 📍 Address: Youping Village, Shiyang Town, Anyue County, Sichuan
- 🎫 Ticket Price: CNY 20 (including three incense sticks)
- 🕒 Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn, avoid the hot summer
- 📸 Must-See: Liu Benzun's Ten Refinements Grotto, Purple Bamboo Guanyin, Thousand Buddha Cave

✨ Summary
Pilu Temple is not just a temple but a three-dimensional history of Buddhist art! Mysterious couplets, millennium stone carvings, treasure legends… every step is like deciphering history. If you love cultural exploration, this place is definitely worth a special trip!

Post by EmilyDonovans | Mar 31, 2025