Part Three: Tracing Jinshiyan Cave: Development of the Zhanglaofeng Peak Area
The expansive mountain range formed by Zhanglaofeng Peak, Hailuofeng Peak, and Baozhufeng Peak is the most renowned part of Danxiashan, rich in cultural landscapes. This area is often referred to as Danxiashan in its narrowest sense: "East to Longzhua, West to Biefeng, South to Tiantai, North to Jinpen." The development of the Zhanglaofeng Peak area has a long history, resulting in the formation of four vertical scenic areas, listed from bottom to top as the Jinshiyan Rock area, Biechuansi Temple area, Hailuo Rock area, and the Summit area.
01
(1) Ancient Caves and Steep Rocks - Jinshiyan Rock Temple
Jinshiyan Rock is famous for its multicolored, an ever-changing Longlingshi Rock (dragon scale rock) embedded in the cliffs. It is the earliest developed scenic spot around Zhanglaofeng Peak and the birthplace of Buddhism in Danxiashan. Jinshiyan Rock features four natural flat caves: Qianshengyan Cave, Zushiyan Cave, Fuhuyan Cave, and Longwangyan Cave. As early as the Five Dynasties period, monks rested here, and by the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1068-1077), a formal Buddhist temple was established, attracting a considerable number of followers.
龙鳞石
Longlingshi Rock (Dragon Scale Rock)
锦石岩寺
Jinshiyan Temple
仁化锦石岩
宋·余靖
巉岩绚烂倚云隈，万玉无香结作队。
不是虬龙眠铁树，原来假石作根荄。
（余靖（1000-1064），字安道，韶州曲江（今韶关）人，北宋政治家、文学家。）
Jinshiyan Rock in Renhua
by Yujing (the Song Dynasty)
Nestled against the mist-shrouded cliffs, it unfolds in dazzling splendor.
Countless rocks converge like myriad beautiful jades.
Though lacking fragrance, they cluster tightly together, magnificent beyond compare.
The scene here doesn't truly feature a dragon slumbering beside the iron tree,
But rather, the exquisite arrangement of artificial stones forms this wondrous foundation and shape.
(Yu Jing (1000-1064), courtesy name Andao, from Qujiang, Shaozhou (modern Shaoguan, Guangdong), politician and writer in the Northern Song Dynasty)
In the second year of Chongning during the Song Dynasty (1103), the lay Buddhist practitioner Fayun was sincerely invited by Mr. He, the magistrate of Renhua County, to come to Jinshiyan Cave for Buddhist practice. "Fayun enthusiastically guided and inspired people to donate generously, transforming the rugged mountain terrain into accessible paths and constructing many halls and buildings. They paved hundreds of zhang (1zhang≈3.3meters) of ground with bricks, created stone railings hundreds of chi (1chi≈0.33meters) long, and adorned numerous Buddha statues. Fayun also built a small hut among the pine trees, naming it 'Yuantong Hermitage,' signifying understanding the principles of things and insight into one’s nature, representing the attainment of the highest enlightenment." Additionally, Fayun established a management system here: "Practitioners must both meditate and personally participate in agricultural labor; no work, no food." This marked the first large-scale development of Jinshiyan Cave Temple.
During the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty, the monk Qingxing, accompanied by his disciple Jingshou, actively raised funds from various sources to re-sculpt Buddha statues, marking a new phase in the temple's development. The doctrinal teachings and management system of the temple persisted until the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty. In the early Qing Dynasty, shortly after the establishment of Biechuansi Temple, Zeng Master Tangui also mobilized funds for extensive renovations. By 1980, under the guidance of Masters Jiancheng and Changci, Jinshiyan Cave underwent another significant restoration, transforming it into a place dedicated to serene meditation for nuns. The surrounding rock carvings seamlessly merge with the red cliffs of Jinshiyan Cave, bearing witness to the temple's prosperity and decline since the Northern Song Dynasty.
《丹霞十六景》之《锦水滩声 锦石岩》 《丹霞十六景》之《梦觉关》
"The Sound of Jinshuitan, Jinshiyan Cave" from "Sixteen Views of Danxia."
“Mengjueguan Cave” from “Sixteen Views of Danxia."
Mengjueguan Cave (Dream Awakening Cave) is situated to the left of Jinshiyan Cave, a large, naturally formed cave resembling a honeycomb and a Buddha niche. Lay Buddhist Fayun exclaimed when saw this cave, "It seems like I have lived most of my life in a dream until today when I finally feel awake and liberated." Later, inspired by Fayun's sentiment, people named this place "Mengjueguan Cave (Dream Awakening Cave)."
02
(2) Building Cabins in the Clouds --The Development Journey of Danxiashan
By the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the region around Zhanglaofeng Peak welcomed a new phase of development. In the second year of Longwu during the Southern Ming period (1646), official Li Yongmao resigned from his post and entered the territory of Renhua. He discovered that Danxiashan offered "sufficiently rugged terrain for defense, ample caves for habitation, firewood for gathering, and springs for water." Impressed, he invested one hundred taels of silver to purchase this forested mountain area for seclusion and retreat. Naming the area around Zhanglaofeng Peak after the renowned Zen mountain in his native Henan--Danxiashan --he dubbed it a "hidden gem away from the bustle of the world." Li Yongmao, together with his brother Li Chongmao, soldiers, and friends who joined them, diligently cultivated numerous peaks and caves, constructed mountain roads, erected defensive structures, and organized a local defense force. This concerted effort led to the extensive development and utilization of Zhanglaofeng Peak and its surrounding regions.
(In this table, "taels," "qian," and "fen" are units of traditional Chinese currency, where 1 tael = 10 qian, and 1 qian = 10 fen.)
Li Yongmao (1601-1648), with the courtesy name Xiaoyuan and literary name Yuesheng, was a native of Nanyang, Henan. In the tenth year of the Chongzhen era (1637), he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Thereafter, he held multiple official positions during the Chongzhen, Hongguang, and Longwu reigns. In the second year of the Southern Ming Longwu era, he resigned from his official duties and moved with his family to live in seclusion on Danxiashan. He developed the area around Zhanglaofeng Peak, significantly influencing the region and was regarded as the pioneering founder of Danxiashan.
Li Chongmao,with the courtesy name Jianhu, once served as an official in the Ministry of Rites during the Ming Dynasty. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, he followed his brother to Renhua County, where he purchased Danxiashan and chose to live in seclusion there. In the eighteenth year of the Shunzhi era (1661), he decided to donate Danxiashan to Monk Dangui, allowing him to establish a place for Buddhist practice on the mountain. Later, Li Chongmao became a monk himself, studying under Monk Tianran, taking the Dharma name Jindi with the courtesy name Yichao. He lived at Piaozhuyan Cave, and after his passing, a pagoda was erected there in his honor.
03
(3) The Morning Bell Sounding from the Magnificent Pavilion – Biechuan Chan Temple
Through bamboo groves the wind does sigh,
The temple's form in glimpses lies;
Clouds and mist embrace the stream,
Mountains fade and reappear, like a dream.
During the turbulent period of transition between the Ming and Qing dynasties, "escaping the mundane world to practice" became a popular trend. Many followers of the Li brothers chose to retreat near Zhanglaofeng Peak, including those who sought spiritual solace by entering the Buddhist path. In the 18th year of Shunzhi (1661), Li Chongmao donated the land around Zhanglaofeng Peak to Buddhist Master Dangui, allowing him to establish a place of practice there. Following the principle of "a separate transmission outside the teachings, not relying on words," Master Dangui named the newly built temple "Biechuan Temple." In the fifth year of Kangxi (1661), Biechuan Temple was initially completed, and Dangui invited his master, Monk Tianran, to preside over the mountain-opening ceremony and promote Buddhism. From then on, Monk Tianran became the first-generation patriarch of Biechuan Chan Temple.
《丹霞十六景》之《杰阁晨钟》
“The Morning Bell Sounding from the Magnificent Pavilion” from “Sixteen Views of Danxia”
Through the diligent efforts of monks such as Tianran and Dan Gui, the temple's buildings and land area expanded significantly. According to the "Danxiashan Annals," the temple housed the Mahavira Hall, Kṣitigarbha Hall, Dharma Hall, Abbot's Hall, as well as pavilions, monks' quarters, meditation rooms, pavilions, and terraces, making the facilities very comprehensive. Additionally, there were sub-temples established in Shaozhou and the city of Nanxiong Prefecture.
Xueyan Rock, located to the east of Hailuofeng Peak, was built using a naturally formed cave. It faces southeast and is adjacent to Damingyan Rock on the west. In the early Qing Dynasty, Gao Dengke, the commander of the Southern Shao Prefecture, constructed three large halls in Xueyan Cave in the year Dingchou of the Kangxi reign (1697). These halls housed statues of Guan Yu and Lv Dongbin. Later, this place became a quiet retreat room for Biechuan Chan Temple.
Hongyan Rock, situated halfway up Baozhufeng Peak, is "in a very high place," where "one must use bamboo to climb up step by step." Developed during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the houses and halls there were constructed within naturally formed caves, facing northwest. Eventually, this place transformed into a quiet meditation room at the Biechuan Chan Temple.
04
（4）Golden light appears on the emerald green spring water—the spring pools in the mountain
Longwangquan Spring and Qianbichi Pool are two square-shaped pools located on the eastern slope of Baozhufeng Peak. Longwangquan Spring is 2 meters long and 1.4 meters wide, with a dragon head-shaped spout above it. Above the dragon head, the words "Longwangquan Spring" are written in cursive script on the cliff face.Qianbichi Pool is to the left of Pianlinyan Rock and is connected to Longwangquan Spring by a horizontal water channel.
浅碧池和龙王泉
Qianbichi Pool and Longwangquan Spring
龙头出水口
Dragon Head Water Spout
Shuangjingchi Pool, located on the rear mountain of Biechuan Chan Temple, was carved out of two large natural rocks during the early Qing Dynasty when the temple was built. The pool is about 8 or 9 chi (1 chi≈0.33 meters) deep and wide. It is named Shuangjingchi Pool because its shape resembles two bright mirrors. The pool is planted with lotus flowers that have white petals with red spots, and a hint of green in the center, exuding a pleasant fragrance. It was once one of the twelve scenic spots of the early Qing Dynasty, known as "Twin Ponds with Green Lotuses."
Shiruquan Spring is located beneath Damingyan Rock on the east side of Hailuofeng Peak, west of Xueyan Rock. The spring water flows out from the cracks in the rocks, continuously running down to the bottom of the mountain stream. The water is very clear, cool, and refreshing to drink, giving the sensation of milk flowing from the rocks, hence its name. This spring was discovered and excavated by the scholars Liu Songtao and his brother Liu Wangfu at the end of the Ming Dynasty. They carved a dragon head at the water outlet. Later, the hermit Li Jingyu from Nanyang expanded it and built a pavilion on top. ShiruquanSpring has two adjacent square-shaped pools, with the words "Shiruquan Spring" carved above the pools. Next to the pools is a stele from the 8th year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1651), engraved with "Record of Incense Lamp Rental at Dragon King Pavilion."
石乳泉
Shiruquan Spring
