EXTRA: Mei'an, Zhaoqing, Guangdong

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on August 18, 2014.)

This ancient plum tree at Mei An (Nunnery) in Zhaoqing, Guangdong (广东, 肇庆市), is descended
from one said to have been planted by the Sixth Patriarch (六祖) of Chan (Zen = 禅).

July 27, 2012 - The morning after my trip to Gufo Dongtian ("Old Buddha Cave Heaven"), I left Shaoguan on my way to Xinxing, near the birth and death place of Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan (Zen). The journey between Shaoguan and Xinxing was one that Huineng made many times, and I would visit some of his stopping places along the way.

No. 49: Tongjiao Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 11, 2013.)

The streetside gate at Tongjiao Temple (通教寺) in Beijing (北京) is as picturesque as anything inside.

July 10, 2011 - My next destination was a world apart from the greenery of Badachu Park. Tongjiao (maybe "Skillful Teaching") Temple is located just off of busy Dongzhimen North Alley, and is surrounded by urban development.

EXTRA: Sanshan Nunnery and Baozhu Cave, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 25, 2013.)

This quaint wooden gate presages the simplicity of Sanshan An (三山庵=
Three Mountain Nunnery) in Badachu (八大处) Park, Beijing (北京).

July 9, 2011 - Leaving the Relic Pagoda, my student/patron and I walked toward the cable car station. On the way we passed tiny Sanshan Nunnery. Centered around one courtyard, it was built in 1151 and named for the three sets of hills where Badachu is located: Cuiwei, Pinpo, and Lushi Hills. It was quaint, but only took a moment for viewing.

We then pressed on to the station, where we bought tickets to the top of Pinpo Hill where Baozhu ("Precious Pearl") Cave is located. On the way up, we had spectacular views of the Relic Pagoda and the city beyond.