[VOL IV] GRAND TEMPLE AT POO-TOO, CHUSAN

GRAND TEMPLE AT POO-TOO,CHUSAN

Cover Image: Grand Temple at Poo-too, Chusan Islands / PuTuoShan ZhouShan ZheJiang China / Drawn by T. Allom Engraved by R.Sands – ALAMY Image ID:2X55NE1

*Puji Temple is a Buddhist temple located on the island of Putuoshan in Zhoushan. Puji Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Mount Putuo, the temple is also the main temple enshrining Guanyin. It is known as “Front Temple” since it located in the southern foot of Lingjiu Peak. Along the central axis are Shanmen, Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Yuantong Hall, Buddhist Texts Library, etc. There are over 600 halls and rooms on both sides, including Hall of Guru, Hall of Arhat, Dining Hall and Meditation Hall. / Sketched on the Spot by Capt Stoddart R.N.

No regal state with eating cares intrude
To break the stillness of his solitude;
No wealth allures, with all its glittering store;
But peace, contentment, wait the bonze’s door.

H.

POO-Too, or Worshippers’ Island, in Chusan archipelago, is the chief seat of Chinese Buddhism, and has long been celebrated for the riches and magnitude, and glories of its temples. Although the whole area of this sacred spot does not exceed twelve square miles, nor its original population two thousand souls, yet here now upwards of 3,000 monks, or bonzes, of the Hoshang or unmarried sects, reside, and lead a Pythagorean life.

Three hundred isles and upwards, constitute the Chusan group, many of which are larger and more fertile than Poo-too, (*Trading-junks uniformly call here on their outward passage, and the crews get their fortunes told. For a small sum they obtain an amulet, or charm, which is deemed a certain preventive to shipwreck, and a secure guarantee of a prosperous voyage.) but none comparable to it for inequality of surface, variety of scenery, and boldness of outline when seen from a distance,—shelter and repose when closely visited. For the latter reasons, doubtless, these ascetics selected the deep glens of Poo-too for their temples, and for their tombs. Upwards of four hundred minor chapels have been erected on this little isle, but there is one building which is considered the very cathedral of Buddhism. In a fertile and narrow valley, overhung by gigantic summits that reach, in some places, to a height of one thousand feet, and traversed by a rivulet of clear, sweet water, stands The Grand Temple. Between two tall flagstaffs, planted securely in the natural rock, a flight of steps ascends to the simple gate-way leading to the court; monastic dwellings, of two stories in height, substantially built, and surmounted by hideous dragons, are grouped closely together; and behind them rises the many-storied pagoda, that marks the site of the temple of worship. It is more than probable, from the solitude and study to which the bonzes of Poo-too dedicate themselves, that they are acquainted with the labours of the Catholic missionaries who once visited their country, and who were so favourably received by Kang-he. It is also perfectly certain that they are familiar with the mode of worship observed by the Portuguese at Macao, because crucifixes and images of our Saviour, and of the Virgin Mary, mixed with articles of a general character, are publicly offered for sale in the shops of the temple. These notorious facts will therefore explain the numerous offerings found amongst the external architectural decorations of a Buddhist temple.

Although Buddhism is a religion confined to its officiating priests, the public feel an interest in its preservation, as communicating to social life a moral impulse. They contribute, therefore, alms to the priests, and donations to the pagodas. When Nanking was restored, after its devastation by the Tartars, the green and yellow tiles of the imperial palace, in that city, were presented to the bonzes of Poo-too; and, being placed on the great temple, they now reflect the bright rays of a mid-day sun, with a brilliancy that is observable many miles from the Island. Quan-gin is the most revered idol in the grand pagoda, but Teen-how, or the Queen of Heaven, is enthroned in the smaller ones. In all of them are colossal images of Buddha, either in a standing or sitting posture, and, in some instances, surrounded by upwards of fifty of his disciples, fashioned from clay or plaster. In the chief saloon of the great temple, a large and beautiful bell, sculptured with inscriptions, and scalloped at the mouth, is preserved; and, beside it, rests a drum, the head of which is about eight feet in diameter, covered with ox-hide.