Mount Putuo: The Pure Land of the Sea and the Buddha

Author: Shang Ailan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Putuo Mountain stretches 8.6 kilometers from north to south and 3.5 kilometers from east to west. Its highest peak, Foding Mountain, stands at an altitude of 288.2 meters and is one of China's four major Buddhist mountains. According to the Buddhist scripture Saddharma Pu??arīka Sūtra, the legend of Avalokite?vara Bodhisattva arriving at Pǔtuó Luójiā Mountain has made Putuo a sacred place for Guanyin Bodhisattva. In the fourth year of the Xiantong era (863 AD), the Japanese monk Huigen brought the image of Guanyin back from Mount Wutai and, due to stormy weather, landed at Chaoyin Cave, establishing the "Unwilling-to-Leave Guanyin Temple," which marked the beginning of Buddhism on Putuo Mountain. By the seventh year of the Jiading era (1214 AD), Putuo Mountain was officially designated as the sacred ground of Guanyin Bodhisattva, alongside Mount Wutai, Mount Emei, and Mount Jiuhua, becoming one of the four major Buddhist mountains. Over the centuries, emperors donated funds to continuously build and expand the mountain, leading to a surge in popularity. During its peak period, there were three major temples, 88 monasteries, 128 hermitages, and over 4,000 monks and nuns. Walking along the island's trails, one often encounters monks in saffron robes. The beautiful natural scenery and the profound Buddhist atmosphere give the mountain a mystical aura. On the 29th day of the ninth lunar month in 1997, the open-air bronze statue of Guanyin from the South Sea was completed. On that day, despite dark clouds, as Master Miaoshan declared the statue's dedication, the sky opened up, revealing sunlight that illuminated the scene, deeply impressing believers both at home and abroad. When climbing the mountain to admire the views, overlooking the emerald sea, one can see numerous islands floating on the surface, with white sails sailing among them—the scenery is utterly captivating. The ancients praised Putuo Mountain highly: "Among mountains that combine the beauty of lakes, West Lake is unmatched; among mountains that combine the beauty of the sea, Putuo stands supreme." Comparing Putuo to the paradise of West Lake, this evaluation can be considered objective. The sea-and-sky vistas of Putuo Mountain, whether in any scenic area or spot, give one the feeling of boundless openness. Even when the sea wind howls and waves crash, they do not evoke a sense of towering waves—instead, these extraordinary sights inspire awe. The Qianbu Sha (Thousand-Step Beach) and Baimu Sha (Hundred-Step Beach) on the island have become renowned beach tourism areas, not only for their excellent sand quality but also for their well-developed recreational facilities. Exploring such a Buddhist ocean offers a unique experience. The island is dotted with famous rocks, in addition to the four major wonders, there are numerous inscriptions by renowned calligraphers, much like a famous stele forest.