Choosing to burn incense between work and self-improvement has become a way for many contemporary young people to relieve stress. In a pure land with the fragrance of three incense sticks, listen to the sound of chanting and smell the scent of incense, and it seems that all worries and anxieties are gone in the temple...
Located at the foot of Lotus Peak in Tianzhu Mountain, Hangzhou, Fajing Temple has a history of more than 1600 years since its establishment, making it a famous ancient Buddhist temple with a long history.
Come here in the early morning and follow the path from the Hejian Bridge of Lingyin. The scenery is like a painted screen, with steep cliffs, deep valleys, meandering streams, shifting mist and clouds, and a strong sense of the charm of mountains and forests.
Fajing Temple is the only Buddhist temple for female practitioners in Hangzhou, commonly known as the "Lower Tianzhu." It was also the first among the three Tianzhu temples, established two years later than Lingyin Temple. The founding master of Fajing Temple was Huili, a Zen master from Lingyin Temple. The temple currently houses three main halls: the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Yuantong Hall and the Medicine Buddha Altar.
Behind the temple, there are famous scenic spots and historical sites such as the Three Life Stones, Golden Buddha Cave, Fragrant Forest Cave, Lotus Flower Cave, and Scripture-flipping Platform. Over the centuries, literati and scholars have visited this place, leaving behind many exquisite poems and literary works, as well as legendary stories such as the "Three Life Pledge" by the Tang poet Li Yuan and Monk Yuanze, the tale of Osmanthus Flowers Falling in Tianzhu during Mid-Autumn, and the poems "Visiting Tianzhu Temple with My Nephew, the Governor of Hangzhou" by Li Bai, and "Presenting Three Quatrains on a Ugly Stone" by Su Shi, which are worth exploring and appreciating for their historical value.
Compared to the larger Midlde Tianzhu Fajing Temple and Upper Tianzhu Faxi Temple, Fajing Temple is smaller and receives relatively fewer tourists. However, the scenery inside is unique and charming, with the continuous birds chirping and water flowing, which is enough to let people relax and let go of all worries and anxieties.
The rooms in the temple were originally provided for the local believers in Hangzhou, but now they are also open to the public. Since it is a Buddhist temple for female practitioners, priority is given to female visitors.
The rooms have a special Zen atmosphere, with simple decorations. Outside the wooden windows, there are lush green views, and below the windows, there is a tatami tea area with a set of tea utensils, where you can enjoy tea and meditation, and feel a sense of tranquility and contentment.
In the temple, you can also participate in morning classes with the masters and visit surrounding temples. Take a walk along the less crowded Tianzhu Road, with murmuring streams, sunlight through the trees, and a peaceful green environment, and there is a power that can instantly make people calm down.
There is also an internet-famous spot for taking photos—the Three Life Stones. The story of the Zen master Yuanze and Li Yuan has been widely spread. It is said that the place where they met from different lives is the "Three Life Stones" outside the temple, which later became a symbol of lifelong commitment in Chinese history. In the early morning, follow the signs and go up the steps to take a photo at the "Three Life Stones" and this may bring a different state of mind.