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Day 2 - The Majestic Wu Tai Shan
Last update: 22 October 2010 12:06PM (GMT+08:00)
Reported by Sherwin Ng.
The newly built Sizhou North-South Expressway allowed us to reach Wu Tai Mountains in approximately 3 hours, rather than the usual 5 hours. Now, Wu Tai translates to 'Five Terraces', which refers to the five visible peaks present on this mountain. Most of the temples on this mountain are dedicated to the Bodhisattva Manjushri, the patron saint of wisdom, study, and enlightenment by means of dispelling ignorance. In fact, the second Buddhist temple in the whole of China is still here today on Wu Tai Mountain - the first being the White Horse temple in Henan province circa 64 A.D. during the rise of Buddhism in China.
Our first temple visit after lunch was the Pu Xa Ding, or 'Bodhisattva Peak' - and right after alighting from the bus, some of the students caught sight of the incoming vein running straight towards the temple. In other words, the temple is seated ON the vein! Of course, this was not just any vein, but a 'Fairy Bridge' whose Qi is known to produce saints, fairies, and spiritual people. Match this with the 'Fairy Seat' locking the water mouth on the front externals - this is the perfect place for spiritual studies and the pursuit of enlightenment. While this temple may not be the wealthiest around (every organization requires funds) being positioned on a floating vein, its name and reputation is known far and wide.
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This is of course thanks to a few crucial Feng Shui factors like the water moving from East to West (another formation known to produce saints), as well as the Pen Holder stars forming on the Green Dragon embrace. Also impressive was the fact that the main temple buildings were positioned to face South 1, Bing, instead of the usual South 2, Wu - conforming to the principle of the '3 Auspicious 6 Elegance'.
Overall, being a Spiral City surrounded by multiple layers of Water Stars - representing wisdom, intelligence, philosophy, and knowledge - it is no wonder that the main focus of this entire vicinity is the Saint Manjushri! Talk about right location, right function...
No Time to Rest!
Our next stop was just down along the vein to the next temple, Xian Tong Temple - the FIRST temple ever built on Wu Tai Mountain and the second Buddhist temple to exist in China.
Some of the students already noticed that this temple complex is located on a small hill protected by surrounding mountain ranges. Joey explained that this was in fact, the Meridian Mountain, and truly, all signs conform to that of a superior spot - being protected by embraces on all sides, this temple is not windy as the first one (being seated higher up ON the vein itself). Secondly, this temple sits in a sunken area on the mountain, allowing it its own Cicada Wings and Goldfish Internal Bright Hall. This instantly indicates that this spot would be able to produce more wealth as compared to the first one, which does not allow Qi to slow and gather.
The illustrated lesson here today: you may be tapping into the same vein, but being at the right height can further increase your prosperity. It's quite simple really - windy areas indicate the lack of embraces and protection, and so Qi is dispersed; whereas true spots are naturally protected and hence, not windy. So as hinted by the golden pagodas built in this temple, wealth potential is increased when Qi is allowed to collect nicely.
Locking the Golden Dragon
Located on the Left Embrace of the two earlier temples, is another temple called Da Luo Hall. A cable car ride up this mountain (rather than climbing up the 1800 steps) brought us to colder altitudes - but it was worth the climb.
This temple faces NW1, Xu, with the water exiting at SW1, Wei - coupled with incoming water from NW and NE1, Chou. This would mean that all four of the Grave directions are being tapped into.
Once again this conforms to the ancient principle: 'using the four Graveyards, and locking the Golden Dragon, one will never be poor'. There was one flaw though - while this temple sat on a vein, there was no 'opening of the lips' to allow Qi to settle. Hence, instead of producing emperors, this site can only produce great wealth and status - not too bad for a spiritual site! That being said, however, bear in mind that the four Graveyard directions are gateways to spiritual Qi, especially so for SW1, Goat. Coupled with the predominating Water Stars in the area, this makes Wu Tai Mountain the perfect location for those seeking spiritual knowledge and ultimate wisdom.
Perhaps, one cannot help but to wonder: does 'infinite wealth' ultimately point to spiritual enlightenment? Would 'never be poor' be better translated as 'never in need' instead? I do not have an answer for you - but this may be a clue for us all:
Chastity Fire Stars are known to produce great emperors, or great spiritual masters, one way or the other. Same source, different perspective?
Reported by Sherwin Ng.
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