Putuoshan

Religion

The religion culture of Putuoshan began form at the end of the Tang dynasty and prevailed in Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty. There used to be several thousand monks on Putuoshan, and though their numbers are now greatly reduced, the island still has several active temples as well as a Buddhist theological college. The now opened three temples - Puji, Fayu and Huiji - and over thirty monasteries like Dacheng, Meifu, Zizhulin, Yangzhi, Fanyindong and others attract a large number of pilgrims. There are over 500 monks and nuns living on the island and more than one million pilgrims every year. The peaceful atmosphere of these temples, with their incense smoke rising against the backdrop of wooded hillsides, potted plants in the courtyards and monks quietly going about their business, is noticeably different from that of temples in the big mainland cities. On Guanyin's three festivals (19th of February, June and September in Chinese lunar calendar) pilgrims gather here like tide.

For information or reservation call or send an e-mail to Chen Zhongyu ((0580)6091227) in Putuoshan.

Last modification: 10/11/2003

This page is made by Anthony Debyser. For comment on this page send an e-mail to adebyser@hotmail.com

(c)2003. All rights reserved.