Temple Nanshan-si （南山寺）leaned against the mountain of Gongbu-shan （贡布山）, 1700 meter above sea level, was one of the largest temple site in Wutaishan. It was first established in Liang of South North era （420-589） and had been repaired and restored in the subsequent dynasties. During Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in year 1296, Emperor Yuan-Chengzong （元成宗）, the son of Kublai-Kan ordered to rebuilt the temple and renamed it as Wansheng Youguo-si （大万圣佑国寺） as when he visited Wutaishan and witnessed the aureola, he believed it was the halo light of Bodhisattva Manjushri. The temple also had been restored in year 1541 during Ming Dynasty and also during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1796) in Qing Dynasty. Within years 1877-1883, the temple went through great expansion and renovation, managed by The Abbot Rev. Puji who had received big sum of contribution while traveled from state to state through out the country. The Monk Puji renamed the temple site as Wansheng Youguo Nanshan Jile-si (万圣佑国南山极乐寺） or in short The Temple of Ultimate Bliss. After Temple Youguo-si and Jile-si were combined and joined up with Shande-Tang to form into one temple site in early 20th century, the name was finalized to be changed to Nanshan-si. The monk passed away in year 1912 and the generous philanthropist from North East China, named Jiang-fuchen (姜福忱)continued and carried on the renovation project for 23 years. Nanshan-si currently comprises of seven terraces dividing into three sections. Temple Jile-si was at the Lower three terraces while the upper three terraces belong to Temple Youguo-si and Shande Hall (善德堂） is terraced at the center. There is a 8 meter high green brick large screen wall and 108 stone steps at the main entrance, awaiting for you to ascend and explore the site. Standing high up in front at the end of the 108 stairs to welcome you, is a splendor three doors white marble arch gate inscribed with phrase of various meanings. The arch gate measured as 9m (ht)x12.8m (length)x 1.6m (thickness) looks grand and magnificent.
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The Main shrine hall of Nanshan-si is situated at the lower terrace in a courtyard with several halls surrounded. The Hall houses a group of relics and artifacts which are part of the important treasures in Wutaishan. The most valuable among all is the clay sculptures of 18 Buddhist Arahats which are considered the wonder in clay sculpting arts at the sacred mountain. They were displayed in the glass altar at two sides of the walls in front of the Murals. The proportionally sculpted figures are vivid with various life-like postures and expressions especially the sleeping Arahat. He appears so peacefully and soundly sleep that people automatically hold the breath, afraid to disturb him. The murals on one side of the wall depicted the Buddha Sakyamuni's legend while the other one focus on the story of Rev. Xuan-Zang Goes West.
The center seat of the Altar at the Main Shrine Hall enshrined a smiling faced image of Buddha Sakyamuni holding a flower in hand (made in Yuan 1271-1368) and attended by Ananda and Mahakasyapa (阿难和摩诃迦叶） by his sides. The allusion came from the incident of mind to mind transmission happened 2500 years ago in India. It was recorded that once at the mountain of Lingjiu-shan in India, Buddha Sakyamuni spoke Dharma and he was presented with a golden lotus flower by Great Brahma Heaven King. There were hundreds and thousands attendants in this assembly but no one responded to his talk except Mahakasyapa who simply smiled. Buddha thus entrusted the Dharma-door of meditation to Mahakasyapa through minds, speechless and wordless. Mahakasyapa received this transmission of Dharma and became the first Buddhist Patriarch. A stone carved figure of Bodhisattva Manjushri riding his lion was placed right in front of Buddha's two great disciples. And to Buddha's left and right, the hall enshrines with Images of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara （抱子观音） and Samantahbadra （普贤菩萨）. Goddess of Mercy with a baby boy is a stone carved figure and Universal Worthy Bodhisattva Puxian with 18 arms is carved from wood. All figures truly are the treasures of Nanshan-si.
The external of Main shrine Hall looks solemn with primitive colors in sapphire blue, green and purple with mixture of light blue and gold.
The outstanding pure white Stupa of Ancestral Caokui （曹魁祖墓塔） sitting at the center of the courtyards at Main Shrine Hall among the other structures, has round top with square base.
The West Hall in front of Main Shrine Hall has two storey. The five stone built cave-typed guest room at the ground floor, enshrined with Images of Sakyamuni, Amitaba and Medicine Buddha at the center altar. The five wooden structures at the top layer are various halls for Bodhisattva and Taoism Supreme God, including Halls for Puxian, Dizang, Guanyin with Thousand Hands, Guanyin with baby and Heavenly Jade Emperor. The image of Bodhisattva Guanyin with baby is most interesting as Bodhisattva was sculpted into a female with a porch at the waist with young infant, to be ready to give away to couples who came and prayed for baby. West Hall is a treasure house of artifacts and relics of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism dated more than 800 years in history.
Another similar structure that linked with West Pavilion is The South Pavilion which is not opened to public. From the pictures taken by writer Dai-Shengrau, we came to understand that the hall at 2nd floor is enshrined with Piru-Zena-fo （毗卢遮那佛）with Great Brahma Heaven King （大梵天王） and Sakra （帝释天王） to his left and right. The three layers of interesting sculptures at the two walls in the hall, were vivid in color and uniquely sculpted. The abundant culture and characteristic of various races like Tibetan, Han and Mongolia were mixed and combined into the arts of these versatile rare sculptures.
The gorgeous ancient calligraphy inscribed on the door frame at Hall of Thousand Buddha Qianfo-Dian （千佛殿） read as Wei-shan-xiu-de 为善修德 meaning do good deeds cultivate meritorious virtue. A tablet with three words Xing-kong-men 性空门 meaning door for emptiness, is hanged at the entrance of Heavenly Kings Tianwang-Dian （天王殿） near the Bell Tower. There is a smaller sized screen wall at Temple Jile-si written with A Land of Goodness in Buddha's world (佛国善地）
Carved stone lions.
There are many stele in the temple site in memory of those great masters and past abbots including The national great master Zijue （直觉国师）, Rev. Lewei （了惟大师）, Rev. Puji （普济和尚）, Rev. Ciyin （慈音和尚） etc., who had contributed great efforts to make Nanshan-si appears as today's scheme.
Stone Stele were the record of people, incidents and happenings in the past. It helps to confirm and give a clear picture about the history of the relevant site.
There are 19 Stele at the site including those inscribed with names of contributors and donors of the past.
One of the five drum towers in Nanshan-si.
Temple Nanshan-si has more than 300 structures built on its 6 acres of land including 45 halls and 204 rooms. Over the right corner is a beautiful hexagon shaped pavilion standing at its Ancestral Hall. It is indeed a huge Temple Complex.
Narrow pathway to backyard.
Monks prepare and get ready for cold season.
Due to Civil War, Nanshan-si took more than 23 years to complete its expansion and renovation project. Most of the building structure used green brick and white marble forming an unique architectural style of its own.
The beautiful Luohan-Tang of Nanshan-si houses 500 Arahats sculptures but we never had the chance to show homage to them as the door was closed with whatever reason.
Though we were not fortunate enough to have met any authorized personals who could open the door for us to bow to these 500 sculpted Arahats, we were glad that we were here as The structure of Luohang-Tang offers such an admirable and fantastic wood carving arts that most probably many people may not have seen in any other places.
Gorgeous!
Luohang-Tang's carving arts as well as its profound meaningful Buddhist written phrases are equally attractive.
These flowering designed windows and doors look familiar to us as many of Korean Temples are also adorned as this. The Flowers here reflects what they practice as Dharma Flower Sutra (Lotus Sutra) is one of the most foremost Mahayana Sutra. Nanshan-si practice Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing on Zen and Pure Land Buddhism.
The wooden tablet at the door of Luohang-Tang inscribed with 4 Chinese character Da-Quang-Ming-Zang （大光明藏） meaning Buddha's wisdom.
Sitting under a warm sun in front of Luohang-Tang, an elderly monk was concentrating in mending the warm clothing getting ready for cold weather. Stitch by stitch, mindfully and peacefully.......Every action is a Dharma!
The four Chinese character zhen-ru-zi-zhai 真如自在 hand written by Empress Dowaka Cixi of Qing Dynasty was carved into the 1.74 meter long stone and well kept in Nangshan-si. The Tablet with the same 4 characters hanged at the door of The Main Shrine Hall, was molded out and inscribed onto it. This was the actual hand-writing of Cuxi. She wrote the 4 words to praise Rev. Puji as One Perfect in clarity and practice free from attachment, when she came to know the monk's achievement in Buddhist Dharma and when eye witnessed his practice in meditation, she was convinced. She further bestowed him with large sum of money which the monk used it to restore several temples in the capital.
Stupa for Robe, Alm and Dharma (衣钵法塔） of Rev. Puji at Shande Hall. Rev. Puji (1850-1912) was a great Dharma Master of virtue and merits. He worked for Government when he was young but was sick about their corrupted system. Having a deep sensation in the impermanence of life after the death of his parents, he left home to Wutaishan to become a monk at the age of 25. Being a Sangha, he worked hard in practicing Zen and also Pure land Buddhism. His effort and vigor resulted him with 5 penetrations and made him highly in fame and respected. During his 37 years of Dharma Age, he raised and received large sum of subscription to repair and restore temples in Wutaishan. The Great Master Rev. Puji not only had turned Nanshan-si into one of the largest temple site in Wutaishan, he had also helped to restore and repair more than ten temples in Wutaishan with the building fund contributed by his followers.
Temple Nanshan-si covers almost the whole area of the slope at northern side of Mountain Gongbu-shan.
Gold top of the Main Shrine Hall shinning at distance.
Building structures behind Main Shrine Hall.
Nanshan-si became focus of attention certainly is because of its stone carving and clay sculptures. But another reason is definitely due to its scheme and position that create a magnificent nature force that attracts people. The temple complex built to lean against the South Mountain ranges, appears like groups of structures hanging at a sharpen steep slope.
Temple Nanshan-si provides an ideal view point for magnificent sights of the four flat top mountain peaks of Wutaishan.
The Beautiful view of the stretching valley.
East Peaks is also known as Wanghai-feng （望海峰） followed the name of the temple situated there. East Peak is the best location to witness the first probing rays of the rising sun, the rising mist and amidst the clouds. It also offers an amazing vista of the surrounding area from the tall pavilion at the site.
Yedou-feng (叶斗峰） at the north side is the highest peak in Wutaishan as well as in the whole northern China. It is 3058 meter above sea level and it offers excellent view of the magnificent peaks and ridges of Hengshan Mountain （恒山）.
West Peak which also known as Guayue-feng （挂月峰） is the best area to see chain of mountains that are covered with dense pine trees in the distance. Temple Falei-si （法雷寺）is located at The West Peak.
Jingxiu Peak （锦绣峰） at Southern Mountain provides the most beautiful sight among the five peaks during spring and summer seasons when wild flowers are growing every where in the meadows on the plateau. The nature and the stillness creates a gorgeous atmosphere for this aged mountain ranges.
A distance view of autumn Foliage from south mountain.
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