Mount Putuo is one of the pilgrimage holy places that I have longed for. I wanted to go many years ago, but due to various reasons, I have not been able to make the trip. This time my son and daughter-in-law arranged a New Year trip, and one of the stops was Mount Putuo. This arrangement is exactly what I want and follows my long-cherished wish.
Putuo Mountain is a mysterious place in my heart. It is the Yinghua dojo of Nanhai Guanyin Bodhisattva. Regarding the other contents of Putuo Mountain and Guanyin Bodhisattva, I am hazy and don’t know much about it. Therefore, when I went to the island this time, I wanted to fully appreciate the mountains and rivers of Putuo and understand the realm of Buddhism with reverence.
Before going to the island, we arrived at the Zhujiajian parking lot, parked the car, and prepared to take the ferry across the sea to Putuo Mountain. However, can you imagine that when you are about to set foot on the holy Mount Putuo, you will witness a farce of fighting for a parking space? There was only one parking space, and a car that had arrived first drove up to take a seat. A person who was already standing in the parking space said: I am a first-come, first-served, and my car will be there soon. The two sides were gearing up and arguing. Finally, the driver stepped on the accelerator and knocked down the person who had arrived first, trying to force him into position. The fight for a parking space turned into a traffic accident. Originally, they all came to the Bodhisattva's holy land to offer incense and worship Buddha with pious hearts, but they refused to give in at the feet of the Bodhisattva and almost got into a fight.
We bypassed the scene of the incident and quietly boarded the ferry to the island. On the boat, I thought about the two people competing for parking spaces. Why did they choose to fight against each other? Can disputes be resolved without giving in? The driver became even more aggressive and angry, and if things didn't go his way, he would do whatever he wanted to do. People like him are not afraid of anything and regard life as nothing, so why go to the island to worship the Bodhisattva? If you don't accumulate virtue or practice, can the Bodhisattva protect you?
This kind of thing is too intense and difficult for ordinary people to interpret. Dare to behave like this at the feet of the Bodhisattva. It seems that neither of them is a fuel-efficient lamp. Thinking of this, it is not difficult to explain the fate of those two people outside the island.
The ferry whistled and docked, and I finally arrived at Putuo Island, which is beautiful and full of Buddha nature. As soon as I stepped onto the island, I started to look around. What I saw was the shady trees, the clean and winding paths, the pious and orderly flow of people, and the endless flow of vehicles. Where are the temples, the incense and the devout pilgrims along the way? Where are the morning bells and evening drums that I want to listen to?
On the way to the Samadhi parking lot, I got the answer to my question. Finally, on the way up, I saw many devout pilgrims carrying sachets across their bodies and clasping their hands. There were also young monks who took two steps and kowtowed, but most of them were tourists passing by in a hurry. Walking higher with the crowd, through the green shade, at the end of the winding path, there is a golden roof looming, with high eaves and teeth, and smoke is lingering. Is that the Buddhist holy land over there?
I waited for a group of people to board a hotel shuttle bus in the parking lot, and stayed at Hongfu Villa, a hundred meters away from Puji Temple, waiting to visit the largest temple on the island - Puji Temple tomorrow. Ji Temple.
Hongfu Villa is named after the "Hongrafi Temple" next to it. It is built on the mountain, with several hundred-year-old Pistacia chinensis trees in front of the door, intertwined with twists and turns, and a dense crown. A winding path leading to Puji Temple, all the way down, is faintly visible. I live on the highest floor of the villa, which is a building built from a platform. At first I was not satisfied with the location of this room. I felt a little lonely outside the hotel. Just when I put down my bows, washed my face and dusted myself, and went to the platform to look far into the distance, I vaguely saw the tall figure of Guanyin in the South China Sea due to the south. I couldn't help but sigh: How close I am to the Buddha at this height and position; Looking down again, the pink wall and black tiles were at my feet. I touched the cornice wall and the dense black tiles. My heart felt like it had been touched by the years. It suddenly gave me a sense of ethereal and time-traveling. It was an amazing feeling. I feel relaxed and happy.
The sun sets and the surrounding area gradually darkens. I pushed the door open again and came to the slippery platform with night dew to watch the Nanhai Guanyin in the distance. Under the night lights, the Bodhisattva is like a ray of sunshine, dazzling and dazzling, standing high facing the sea. At this moment, I seemed to have received the inspiration from the Bodhisattva. My heart was soaring and I felt relieved. There were words in his mouth: Namo the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva...
The next day, we got up early and slowly walked down the mountain road in the morning mist to Puji Temple where there were many pilgrims. Puji Temple is the largest temple in Putuo Mountain and has been built for more than 1,000 years. There are several towering ancient camphor trees in front of the temple, with different shapes. The trees are covered with moss, and the whole body has a sense of age. The name of the adopter was still hanging on Gu Zhang. Among a string of adopter signs, I saw the names of Yu Qiuyu and Ma Lan at a glance. Right in front of the temple gate is a "Haiyin Pond" formed by a pool of spring water.
On a midsummer night, lotus flowers gather in the pond, and the lotus blossoms bloom. The clear moon is reflected in the mirror-like water, so there is a scene of "Moonlight Night in the Lotus Pond". There is a pavilion on the pool, and there are bridges on both sides. One is called Yongshou Bridge, and the other is called Changquan Arch Bridge. The locals say that walking religiously on the Yongshou Bridge can prolong your life.
The main entrance of Puji Temple is usually closed, and we can only enter through the side door of the temple. Entering Puji Temple, the first thing that catches your eye are several ancient camphor trees that are much older. Their sturdy figures, towering branches and leaves, as well as agile squirrels walking through the trees, freeze the scene of the temple in a distant era. Set in a paradise far away from the hustle and bustle.
Then we came to the "Great Yuantong Hall", where the first morning class of the day was being held. Eminent monks and pilgrims gathered together, and bells, drums and sutras rang one after another, showing the unprecedented grand occasion of praying and chanting sutras at the largest temple in the "Haitian Buddhist Kingdom". Yuantong in Yuantong Hall is the nickname of Guanyin Bodhisattva. This is the main hall of Namo, the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva. Afterwards, I checked the records: the Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined here is 8.8 meters tall, golden in color, with lowered eyes and a smile, and a kind face. Next to it are two disciples, the Good Talent Boy and the Little Dragon Girl, on the left and right, and on the east and west sides. The 16 Bodhisattva images with different costumes and shapes are called the Thirty-two Yingshen of Guanyin. The Ying Shen is the image of Guanyin who appears to teach the world in different capacities. If you like that image in your mind, just remember her appearance and pray sincerely, and in the future, there will be a God-like Bodhisattva to bless you.
When worshiping the Bodhisattva, you should keep your wish in your heart and do not say it out loud. Only give the name of the place and name so that the Bodhisattva can know where you come from. Then proceed clockwise to worship Samantabhadra Bodhisattva for career, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva for good health for the elders in the family, Buddha III for the elimination of disasters for the whole family, Avalokitesvara with Thousand Hands for wishes to be granted, Manjushri Bodhisattva for children's academic success, and Jialan Bodhisattva prays for prosperous business and huge profits. Pray to Veituo Bodhisattva and silently recite the license plate number of your car or family member in your heart several times. Veituo Bodhisattva can ensure safe entry and exit. Finally, we went to the Tianwang Hall to worship Maitreya Buddha, completing the worship of the main Buddhas of Puji Temple. Yinghua Bodhisattva is enshrined in the east, west, south and north of the temple, which highlights the status of Guanyin Bodhisattva in the center as the main Bodhisattva of Nanhai Buddha Kingdom.
Because we arrived early, there were not many pilgrims in the temple. After we finished offering incense and came out, pilgrims had already poured into the temple like a torrent, making it difficult to gain a foothold. After leaving the temple gate, our group first crossed the "Changquan Arch Bridge", then turned to the "Bajiao Pavilion", and finally walked leisurely and calmly across the "Yongshou Bridge". Pray silently on the bridge: Namo Amitabha, Bodhisattva bless you. It is reasonable for ordinary people to seek peace of life, health and longevity, and they have no special desires. Thinking about it this way, I feel much more at ease and feel more confident in what I seek.
The next stop is Nanhai Guanyin. Our group started from the "Yongshou Bridge" and came to the Bodhisattva Wall. On the screen wall are engraved "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva", five big characters, which are powerful and powerful. Legend has it that Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has two circles of compassion and wisdom. From compassion, it is called Avalokitesvara, and from wisdom, it is called Avalokitesvara. The Heart Sutra is also engraved next to the screen wall: "There are many sages in the mountains on the sea, and they are made of precious treasures that are extremely pure. The brave husband observes freedom and lives in this mountain to save all sentient beings."
It is impossible to hide away from the Bodhisattva Wall. In the distance is the "Duobao Pagoda". It is said that this pagoda was built in the Yuan Dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years. It is one of the three treasures of Mount Putuo. Because the "Duobao Pagoda" is closed, we are not able to visit. Judging from the appearance, the pagoda has 5 floors. The body of the pagoda is smooth in shape, exquisite in carving, with a platform and no eaves. It is a Feng Shui pagoda with exquisite craftsmanship. Walking all the way up, there is Baibusha in front of you. Looking from a distance, you can see golden sands surrounding it, gentle waves hitting the shore, and the sea and sky being the same color. Being in this scene, you can't help but look far away, stretch your mind, and feel as happy as completing a relaxing aerobic exercise. Because I was in a hurry to get to Nanhai Guanyin, I only took a quick look at this beautiful scenery. I didn't stop and continued up, passing through the purple bamboo forest, refusing to go to Guanyin Temple, and directly merged into the flow of people going to Nanhai Guanyin.
Putuo Mountain Nanhai Guanyin is located at Guanyintiao at the southern end of Shuangfeng Mountain, opposite Zhujiajian across the sea. Avalokitesvara dances through beautiful trees, with the sound of the tide sounding like a drum, and the sea and sky becoming the same color. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva faces the sea, and the Buddha statue shows Amitabha on his head. He holds the Dharma wheel in his left hand, applies the fearless seal in his right hand, and lowers his eyes kindly. It is another new holy place for worship in the Sea and Sky Buddha Kingdom.
The image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, who "answers thousands of prayers in thousands of places, and is often used as a boat to cross the sea of ??suffering", has left a deep imprint on the hearts of many good men and women. I know that Guanyin Bodhisattva received enlightenment from my mother.
I remember when I was very young, my second brother suddenly became seriously ill and his life was in danger. The bad news came and the family was in chaos.
My father and other brothers all rushed to the hospital in the city where my second brother was staying. Only my mother, who was disabled due to work injury, and I were at home, waiting hard for news about my second brother. My mother is usually a strong-willed person, but when she encounters this major change, she really can’t bear it. She often sheds tears secretly, and sometimes she would hide herself under the quilt and cry loudly on a moonless night. As a only a few years old, I was confused and frightened. She cried loudly and said to her mother: My second brother will be fine. He is in good health and can go home in a few days.
During those darkest and most helpless days, I often saw my mother praying with her hands closed and her eyes closed, silently chanting: Please bless Guanyin Bodhisattva... At first I didn’t know what my mother said. ? As time went by, I began to understand some of these truths, and I was influenced by them. Sometimes when I encountered difficulties, I would imitate an adult and pray silently in my heart. When I grew up, especially after I started a family, I was under pressure from work and life, especially after I was laid off from the company and joined the society. Facing the vast society and being a newbie in the business world, I was helpless and had no other choice. With no experience, no funds, and no connections, I had no choice but to swim naked in the business world. I was choked by the sea water most of the time and was often slapped on the beach by the sea water. The most dangerous time was when he got into a cooperation dispute and almost lost his life in the business world. In that environment, every time I would silently pray and ask Guanyin Bodhisattva for blessing. To be honest, Bodhisattva takes great care of me and helps me pass safely every time. Over the years, I have always believed in the Bodhisattva's heart. I enshrine Guanyin Bodhisattva in my home and burn incense and pray every morning. However, what was lacking was that I did not study Buddhism in depth, let alone set my mind to seek Zen enlightenment.
At the feet of Guanyin Bodhisattva in the South China Sea, I stood silently facing the Bodhisattva and looked at the vast ocean. At this time, my heart was as majestic as the ocean. I feel that the image of the Bodhisattva facing the sea indicates a kind of power and an influence in nothingness. My Buddha is compassionate and always has all living beings in my heart. Facing the sky, the sea, and all living beings, I accept their prayers and help all living beings purify their hearts, establish righteous faith, and create a harmonious society. Thinking of this, I suddenly felt happy: in work, we need to work hard; in study, we need to be diligent; in life, we need to practice. All of these are based on our kindness and morality, forming good relationships, and eliminating impurities, so that we can ultimately increase our blessings and serve the society.
For me, the top priority is to put my pursuit of Zen enlightenment into practice, that is, I must strive to be loving to my children and filial to my parents in my life. As the saying goes: Your parents in the world are your living Bodhisattvas. Honoring your parents is the most important good deed for us at the moment. This is also the most real inner feeling I gained during my trip to Mount Putuo.
I don’t have much to say. I’ll go back and see Gao Tang, who is in his eighties. Make them some delicious food, talk to them, and if possible, play mahjong with them. We cannot delay taking care of them just because we are away for two days.
There are countless scenic spots in Putuo, but I have no intention of visiting them at this time. We end our trip to Putuo at Nanhai Guanyin. We hurried down the mountain, rushed to the pier, and boarded the ferry bound for Zhujiajian.