The temples and monasteries in mainland China all have a centuries long history--the Tang dynasty in China was about 700-900. This is when most of the famous Zen masters lived, at least those who had literature grow up around them. The Song dynasty, 900-1200, also had many Zen masters and temples, but is considered more of a "baroque" period. By the 20th century, most of these temples were in shambles, and only in the last 20 years or so, have the Chinese, with government cooperation, started to rebuild their traditional heritage sites. Here is Shitou, the 'stonehead', recreated. |