Shizhu Daoist Temple 石竹道院 where Master Yinyuan Stayed

During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 19, 2019, I visited Shizhu Daoist Temple 石竹道院 (Stone Bamboo) located in Mount Shizhu where Master Yinyuan stayed before. Lion Cliff (Shiziyan 獅子岩) where Master Yinyuan stayed as a recluse was in its vicinity. However, I did not have time to climb and hike to the place. There used to be Buddhist sites nearby. But right now it is a famous Daoist site nationwide for its dream culture because auspicious dreams are going to happen to visitors. The local legend of Nine Immortals of the He Family 何氏九仙 also originated here and spread in Fujian and Taiwan. When he was young, Master Yinyuan had a good dream here which predicted that he would be ordained as a monk soon. This episode has been recorded in his chronological biography and discussed in my book Leaving for the Rising Sun. In his poems, Master Yinyuan made many references to the Daoist culture on Mount Shizhu such as the reference to Ziyun Cave 紫雲洞. Evidence shows he was deeply influenced by local Daoist cultures such as dream prognostication and spirit writing 扶乩. Chinese President Xi Jinping 習近平 also visited here when he was a local official in a nearby county many years ago. An old Daoist monk said Xi had a dream and consulted him. This is the origin of the slogan "Chinese Dream" 中國夢 which Xi promoted later.

© Jiang Wu

© Jiang Wu

© Jiang Wu

© Jiang Wu

Donglin Village Yinyuan Library 隱元圖書館

During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 18, 2019, I visited Yinyuan Library 隱元圖書館 located in Donglin Village 東林村 where Master Yinyuan was born. It was built by a Japanese donor in 1996. However, it has been deserted for other uses without adequate professional care.

Yinlin Temple 印林寺 where Master Yinyuan was ordained

During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 19, 2019, I visited Yinlin Temple 印林寺 located at the edge of Donglin Village 東林村 where Master Yinyuan was first ordained. Yinyuan's master was a devout Buddhist and had visited this temple frequently. It remains active in local communities with local cults such as the worship of earth god 土地公 and nine immortals of the He family 何九仙.

Yinyuan's Lin Family Lineage Branch Shrine 林氏支祠 in Donglin Village 東林村, Fuqing

During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 19, 2019, I visited Master Yinyuan's Lin Family Lineage Branch Shrine 林氏支祠 located in Donglin Village 東林村 where he was born.  I was told Yinyuan's family house was located next to the shrine building to the right but has been replaced with another building now. The Lineage Shrine located in Qianzhai Village is the main shrine from which this branch was established.

Yinyuan Lineage Shrine in Qianzhai Village 前宅村, Fuqing

During my visit to Fuqing on  Nov. 18, 2019, I visited Yinyuan's Lin Family Lineage Shrine located in Qianzhai Village 前宅村. It is not far away from his ancestor's tombs. The facade of the building remains its Qing dyansty still while the interior has been remodeled in modern auditorium style.

Yinyuan's Ancestor Tombs in Qianzhai Village 前宅村, Fuqing

During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 18, 2019, I visited Master Yinyuan's two ancestors' tombs located in Qianzhai Village 前宅村. According to locals, these two ancestors are the second and third generations in the Ming dynasty. They remain intact but need better care.

Inauguration Ceremony of Abbot Dingming at Wanfu Temple, Fuqing, China, Nov. 22 2019

I was honored to be invited to attend the inauguration ceremony for Ven. Dingming's 定明installation as a new abbot of the newly rebuilt Wanfu Monastery 萬福寺 on Nov. 22, 2019.  I presented a couplet to celebrate this event. This was also my second visit to Fuqing 福清 after eighteen years. For a detailed report, see https://www.ichanfeng.com/2019/21/22/32731.html.