Mount Putuo

Author: Editorial Board of "China Travel Guide"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Located in Putuo County, Zhejiang Province, Putuo Island is a small island in the Zhoushan Archipelago, situated to the east of the archipelago. It is renowned as the "Land of the Sea and the Buddha" and is one of China's four major Buddhist mountains. It was also among the first 44 national-level scenic areas designated by the country. The scenic beauty of Putuo Island combines temples, the sea, sand, and rocks. Putuo Island is 8.6 kilometers long from north to south and 3.5 kilometers wide from east to west. The highest peak, Fodeng Mountain, stands at 288.2 meters above sea level 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 coming to Putuo Luójiā Mountain has made Putuo a sacred place for Guanyin Bodhisattva. In the fourth year of the Xiantong era (863 AD), the Japanese monk Huì'è brought the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva from Mount Wutai back to Japan but was by storms and landed at Chaoyin Cave. He built the "Unwilling-to-Leave Guanyin Temple," marking the beginning of Buddhism on Putuo Island. By the seventh year of the Jiading era (1214 AD) during the Ningzong reign of the Song Dynasty, 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 of various dynasties funded the construction of numerous temples, monasteries, and hermitages, leading to a flourishing of religious activities. At its peak, there were three major temples, 88 monasteries, 128 hermitages, and over 4,000 monks and nuns. Walking along the island's trails, visitors often encounter monks in saffron robes. The beautiful natural scenery and the profound Buddhist atmosphere give the island a mystical charm. On the 29th day of the ninth lunar month in 1997, the outdoor bronze statue of Guanyin from the South Sea was completed. On this day, thick clouds gathered, but as the Grand Abbot Miaoshan declared the statue's dedication, the sky opened up, and sunlight shone brightly, leaving believers both at home and abroad deeply impressed. Ascending the mountain to enjoy the views, the vast blue sea stretches out, with countless islands floating on the surface and white sails sailing among them, creating a breathtaking scene. The ancient scholars once praised Putuo Mountain highly: "If it comes to mountains combined with the beauty of lakes, then West Lake is the best; if it comes to mountains combined with the beauty of the sea, then Putuo is unmatched." Comparing Putuo to the paradise of the human world, West Lake, this evaluation can be considered objective. The sea-and-sky scenery of Putuo Island, whether in any scenic area or spot, fills visitors with a sense of boundless openness. Despite the fierce sea winds and towering waves, there is no feeling of turbulent storms—only a sense of inspiration from these extraordinary sights. The Qianbu Beach and Baibu Beach on the island have become famous beach tourism areas, not only for their excellent sand quality but also for their well-equipped 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.