【The Story of the West Chamber】 birthplace, a love story that saved the Pujiu Temple...

Pujiu Temple: A thousand-year-old temple, where Buddha's light shines upon the mountains and rivers.

I. Tracing Back History, A Millennium of Buddhist Affinity
Located in Yongji City, Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, Pujiu Temple was first built during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty, boasting a history of over 1,300 years. As the ancestral home of the Linji School of Chan Buddhism, it was once a sacred place for eminent monks to preach and for believers to worship. The name "Pujiu," meaning "universal salvation and relief from suffering," carries a thousand years of compassion and has witnessed the vicissitudes of Chinese civilization.

II. Architectural Wonders, Ancient Charm Renewed
With the "Sarira Stupa" as its core, the octagonal, thirteen-story dense-eave brick tower stands over 50 meters tall, resembling a giant pen reaching for the sky, and is known as the "First Pagoda of the Central Plains." The tower features exquisite reliefs, and wind chimes tinkle from the eaves. Ascending the tower offers a panoramic view of the rushing Yellow River and the verdant mountains, encompassing both the Buddhist realm and the earthly scenery. In addition, the Tang Dynasty murals in the Mahavira Hall and the Ming Dynasty wood carvings in the Sutra Depository, every brick and every piece of wood is engraved with stories of time.

III. Cultural Treasures, Timeless Legends
Pujiu Temple is not only a Buddhist holy site but also the birthplace of the love legend of "The Story of the West Chamber." Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng's vows under the moon have made this place a symbol of Chinese love culture. The echoing phenomenon of the "Yingying Pagoda" within the temple allows visitors to experience the romance of "transmitting sound through stones" and listen to the echoes of love from a thousand years ago.

IV. A Pure Land of Zen, Modern Spiritual Practice
Today, Pujiu Temple continues its tradition of Zen practice amidst the morning bells and evening drums, offering experiences such as sutra copying, tea meditation, and vegetarian meals. Visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and experience the tranquility of "a world in a flower." The annual Buddha's Birthday Dharma Assembly and cultural festivals held at the temple blend tradition and modernity, giving new life to the thousand-year-old temple.

V. Mountains and Rivers as Witnesses, Universal Salvation
Pujiu Temple is not just a temple; it is a living museum of Chinese civilization. The vastness of the Yellow River, the majesty of the ancient pagoda, and the distant sound of bells all speak to the eternal aspiration of "universal salvation."

A pilgrimage here is like stepping into a dialogue that transcends time—a reconciliation with history, with faith, and with oneself.

Post by ATH. Sam 3706 | Mar 10, 2025