EXTRA: Dajian Temple, Shaoguan, Guangdong

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 14, 2014.)

These ancient trees are all that remain of the former Dajian Temple (大鉴寺) in Shaoguan, Guangdong,
(广东, 韶关市) where the Sixth Patriarch (六祖) of Chan (Zen = 禅) is said to have delivered the
Platform Sutra (坛经). Small halls in front seem to have been created from an apartment building.

July 22, 2012 - With this week's article, we return closer to home. I took the (then-new) fast train up to Shaoguan, where I began exploring sites from the life of Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan.

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. 44: Liurong Temple, Guangzhou, Guangdong

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on December 10, 2012.)

Remaining ancient banyan trees (榕) in a side courtyard at Liurong
("Six Banyan Tree") Temple (六榕寺), Guangzhou, Guangdong (广东, 广州市).

November 19, 2010 - The next temple on my itinerary was a little closer to home. In fact, Liurong ("Six Banyan Tree") Temple is the closest of the 142 to my home in Shenzhen. (Hongfa Temple had not been built when the list was made in 1983.)