Trip 17: Northern Guangdong(July 22-29, 2012)

This is a record of my seventeenth trip to visit the 142 Key Temples of China. Links lead to articles on the temple (or other site) named.

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. 104: Qingyun Temple, Zhaoqing, Guangdong

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on August 25, 2014.)

The Main Hall (大雄宝殿) at Qingyun Temple (庆云寺), Zhaoqing, Guangdong
(广东, 肇庆市), is mostly unrestored and therefore beautiful.

July 28, 2012 - Looking at the map, I often feel a certain hesitation about traveling to a remote temple. How close can I get? How far will I have to climb?

EXTRA: Guo'en Temple, Xinxing (Zhaoqing), Guangdong

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 1, 2014.)

The purported tomb (墓) of the parents of the Sixth Patriarch (六祖) of Chan (Zen = 禅)
stands at Guo'en Temple (国恩寺), Xincheng, Zhaoqing, Guangdong (广东, 肇庆市, 新兴).

July 29, 2012 - The morning after visiting Qingyun Temple to Zhaoqing's north, I took a highway bus south to Xinxing. Because I couldn't find the local bus down to Guo'en Temple, I ended up being gouged by a taxi driver. (But I found the return bus!)