廬山記 2.2.6

2.2.6

Reaching Jingzhu Cloister, formerly named Dengyun Hermitage. Crossing the ravine from Jingzhu to Guangshou Cloister is nearly two li; its former name was Zisheng Taixuan. Peak lies before it; more than a hundred paces to its side stands the Master Jin Terrace. In the past, the monk Daomiao of Donghai had the secular surname Jin; hence it was named Master Jin Terrace. Entering Wanshou Source from Guangshou, it is two li to Wanshou Cloister. Setting out again from Wanshou and travelling three li south, one reaches Lengyan Cloister, formerly named Lower Baishi. Its mountain is called Luduanyuan. Lengyan Cloister contains the Mountain Study of the Li Family. Li's name was Chang, styled Gongze. In his youth, he and his brothers read books in the mountains. After he left, the temple monks kept his chambers empty and did not reside in them; because of this, nearly several tens of thousands of fascicles were stored in the chambers. Su Shizi Zhan wrote the Record of the Mountain Study's Library, which is now carved on stone and preserved on the wall. Climbing three li east up the mountain from Lengyan, one reaches Zhengdao Cloister, formerly named Upper Baishi. Travelling three li from Zhengdao, one reaches Taiping Xingguo Cloister, formerly named Woyun Hermitage. There is a peak behind it, also called Xianglu Peak. In front stands a sūtra pavilion; the scriptures stored there were bestowed by the court's Sūtra Printing Office by imperial decree in the second year of the Xiangfu reign era. Travelling one li from Taiping, one reaches Xianglin Cloister of Upper Wufeng. Halfway along the path, one crosses a secluded ravine, its ripples clear and shallow, exceedingly pleasant to linger by. Travelling five li from Xianglin, one reaches Jingju Cloister, formerly named Upper Hermitage. Travelling five li from Jingju, one reaches Yanfu Cloister of Lower Wufeng. It preserves thirty handwritten edicts bestowed by the Southern Tang on Chan Master Daguan, Zhiyun; three were signed by Yuanzong, and the rest were all by the Last Ruler. Zhiyun was a native of Hezhong. During the Baoda reign era, he resided at Qixian Cloister; during the Kaibao reign era, he was summoned by imperial decree to reside at Qingliang Temple. Later he returned to Wufeng; it was initially named Youqi Cloister, and later named Qixuan Hermitage. In the first year of the Xiangfu reign era, it was changed to Yanfu. Travelling three li from Yanfu, one reaches Zhulin Cloister. Travelling two li from Zhulin, one reaches Fuyuan Hermitage, formerly named Lingyuan. Travelling half a li from Fuyuan, one reaches Shiquan Hermitage. Travelling two li from Shiquan, one ascends Lingxiao Rock to Mingzhen Cloister. In all, from Jingzhu to Mingzhen there are thirteen places; of their waters and stones, none are not delightful. Only Mingzhen's rocks are exquisitely craggy, either tilting or standing upright, having the appearance of an immortal's grotto; sitting upon the great rocks, one faces the Five Elders Peak like guests—this too is among the mountain's finest scenic spots. Descending five li down the mountain again from Mingzhen, one reaches Jingmiao Cloister, formerly named Dezheng Hermitage, anciently called Qingniugu. The Jiujiang Record states: 'In the past, there was the Daoist Hongzhi, who rode a green ox and attained the Way here; the sacrificial altar still remains.' The Tang poet Yang Heng's poem 'Lodging at Green Ox Valley' says: 'Following clouds, I stepped into Green Ox Valley; / The green-ox Daoist lodged me for the night. / Lovely indeed, late into the night under the bright moon: / Only a single stem of bamboo beside the altar.' It was indeed an ancient famous site, but is now cultivated ridges. Travelling one li from Jingmiao, one reaches Yuntai Hermitage. Behind the hermitage is a stone cliff; upon the cliff is a flowing spring. Following a small path for three li from Yuntai, one reaches Shengguo Cloister, formerly named Jingming Hermitage. In front of Shengguo stands Jiekong Cloister, formerly named Jixiang Hermitage. Looking at the three hermitages of Dezheng, Jingming, and Jixiang, compared to other monastic dwellings, all are completely pure and immaculate. A hundred paces northwest of Jiekong stands Guyuan Hermitage. To the left of the path before the hermitage are piled stones; though not towering and lofty, they are naturally wondrous and grand. Behind the hermitage, a secluded spring trickles incessantly without drying up; it does not need to be rushing and turbulent to be lovable. Travelling two li northeast from Guyuan, one reaches Zhengji Cloister, formerly named Zhezhi Hermitage. The Tang chancellor Li Fengji formerly relied on Li Bo to study on this mountain; after Fengji left, it became a monastic dwelling, hence it was named Zhezhi. Fengji was styled Xuzhou. During the Changqing and Baoli reign eras, he attached himself to Zheng Zhu and Wang Shoucheng, and rose in office to chancellor; his biography is recorded in the Tang history. The monks of the hermitage carved records from Fengji's family collection on stone, but the phrasing has many errors. The mountain is named Fan'ganyuan. On the mountain is the stone tomb of Chan Master Huiji of the Southern Tang. Travelling half a li from Zhengji, one reaches Huayan Cloister. Travelling three li northeast from Huayan, one reaches Yongfu Cloister, formerly named Longyun. Gazing at the Five Elders Peak from along the path, they can be distinctly counted; rising and falling, they form more than ten peaks. In their midst is Lion Peak, shaped as if carved and chiseled; shimmering amid clouds and mists, it resembles one all the more. Behind the hermitage are many scattered stones; directly ascending to the northwest stands Eagle Beak Peak, also situated among the Five Elders Peak. Altogether from Jingzhu to Yongfu Cloister, there are twenty-one places; all are located east of the ravine of Qixian. The elders call them the Various Hermitages and Rocks East of the Ravine. Descending the mountain from Yongfu into Dafuzhuang is eight li. Travelling ten li northeast from Dafuzhuang, one reaches Huiri Chan Cloister. The cloister is to the west of the official post road; descending from the post road and travelling beside the ravine, two mountains flank the ravine in folded layers for five li, just like an immortal's grotto. Its former name was Xianju Grotto. The cloister record states: 'During the Qianning reign era of the Tang, the monk Ruyi first built a thatched hermitage. In the beginning of the Dahe reign era of Wu, the monk Huicong greatly erected a Chan monastery. At that time, Yang Che served as governor of Jiangzhou; he donated abundant offerings from faithful patrons and personally inscribed in seal script the plaque for Xianju Yong'an Chan Cloister, entitling it: "In the fifth year of the Dahe reign era of Wu, the year guisi, first month, wuyin new moon day. Seal script written by Yang Che, Military Commissioner of Fenghua Army, Surveillance and Disposal Commissioner of Jiangzhou, Specially Advanced, Acting Grand Commandant, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Envoy Holding the Tally, Concurrently in Charge of Military Affairs of Jiangzhou, Governor of Jiangzhou, Upper Pillar of State, Prince of Dehua, Beneficiary of an Appanage of Three Thousand Households." In the second year of the Xiangfu reign era of our present dynasty, it was changed to the present title, and the monks treasure that former seal inscription.' Formerly, when Ruyi dwelt in the mountain, Zhu Po once relied on him to pursue his studies. During the Qianning reign era, there was the Daoist Xu Yanshi, who frequented the inner court and committed corrupt deeds; Po attached himself to him and was thereby recommended as possessing managerial talent. Emperor Zhaozong summoned him for an audience, and when questioned on the classics, he was greatly pleased; on that very day, from Erudite of the National University, he was appointed Policy Advisor and Joint Manager of Affairs with the Secretariat-Chancellery. His discussions were broad and impractical, constantly serving as a laughingstock. Within a few months, Yanshi's enterprise collapsed, and both were slain by Han Jian; therefore, people nowadays call it Zhu Po's Library. Beside the path is Sleeping Dragon Pool, followed by White Turtle Pool, followed by Mañjuśrī's Terrace. It produces white quartz, suitable for use in medicine.