Zen Temples in China

Baizhang Huaihai (Hyakujo Osho, Jap.)
Mazu Daoyi (Baso Osho, Jap.)
Zen Master Huiyuan
Dongshan Liangjie (Tozan Osho, Jap.)
Nanyue Huairang (Nangaku Osho, Jap.)
Huineng (Eno Osho, Jap.)
Tiantong Rujing (Tendo Osho, Jap.)
Bodhidharma, Puti Damo, (Daruma, Jap.)
------
Huineng (Eno Osho, Jap.)
Shitou Xiqian (Sekito Osho, Jap.)
Mazu Daoyi (Baso Osho, Jap.)
Yunmen Wenyan (Ummon Osho, Jap.)

There are many Zen temples in mainland China, from the

ancient

to the

modern reconstructed. As Zen was basically born in China, melding

native

Daoism with Indian personal Buddhism--a hybrid of natural no-mind

experience was created and called Chan (Zen). Zen temples were said to

have begun with Bodhidharma living at Shaolin Temple, and others

subsequently sprouted up all across the Middle Kingdom, from Hebei

Province in the north, to Guangdong Province in the south, across to

Sichuan Province in the southwest, and the south-central provinces of

Jiangxi, Hunan, Anhui, Fujian, and others.

At present, in the 21st century, the Chinese government at all levels is

making a concerted effort to reconstruct many of these famous Zen temples,

pouring huge amounts of money and labor into making them both

contemporary Zen working monasteries, and also sites for tourist travel, both

Chinese and foreign. The days of the Cultural Revolution, where the

religions took a big hit, have transformed into a time of reevaluting and

supporting the traditional spiritual quests of the Chinese people, a heritage

of which they seem to be now quite proud of--Zen and Daoism being the two

native areas of religious exploration that both have a long, long, history in

China.

Above

are some of these temples, photos taken recently (2006), with some

added commentary and other relevant connections to the subject. Next to

the temple name is a Zen master's name associated with that temple.

oshobob The Living Workshop

Zen Temples in China