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main | history | culture | temples| customs | scenic spots | ceremonies Structures of the Temples
 THE LONGEVITY PALACE
The Longevity Palace stands on Mokong, a peak on the top of Dongya Cliff. It was originally named Zhaixing (Star-Picking) Hut, renamed Wannian (Ten-Thousand Year) Temple after a renovation in the Qing Dynasty, and now known as Longevity Palace. Since Emperor Chongzhen entitled Monk Wuxia "Incarnation of Buddha" upon his death, this temple has been attracting Buddhists and worshippers, thus established as one of the four most important Jiuhua monasteries.
THE MUMMY OF MONK WUXIA IN THE LONGEVITY PALACE
During the Wanli years (1573-1619) in the Ming Dynasty, a roaming monk named Wuxia came to the Jiuhua Mountain. He built himself a hut on the top of Dongya Cliff and practiced Buddhism piously. He spent 28 years copying 81 volumes of Buddhist scripture with the blood of his tongue and gold powder. He died at the age of 126, and for three years his body did not decay. The other monks, believing that he had been the incarnation of the Living Buddha,
gilded his body and referred to him as "Monk Longevity". Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty granted him the title "Incarnation of Buddha".
THE ANCIENT BAIJINGTAI TEMPLE
It was said that Jin Qiaojue used to
chant the Huayan Suira on a platform
here. The temple was built by later
monks to honor him and was named
Ancient Baijingtai (Sutra-Chanting
Platform). The exact spot, where
Jin left footprints, is about ten steps
away from the hall.
 TIANTAI TEMPLE
Tiantai Temple, or Ksitigarbha Buddhist Temple, was built in the early Ming Dynasty and renovated during Guangxu's reign(1875-1908) in the Qing Dynasty. Towering on a precipitous cliff of the Tiantai Peak, this five-storied run-on architectural complex resembles a magnificent castle from a distance. Over the arched front door are inscribed "Culmination World" in huge charactcrs and "Not
This World" beside them. The chief attractions in the temple are the Ten-Thousand-Buddha Tower and arched doors.
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