The writer (in pink) with her travel buddies at the famous Rabbit confectionery store, trying some ice cream.
Last year, the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society organised a trip to Mount Putuo and Mount Jiuhua, two of the four holy Buddhist mountains in China, for members and devotees. It was led by the chief high priest of Malaysia, Datuk K. Sri Dharmaratana or “Chief”, as we affectionately address him.
The trip took place in early November, and there were 60 of us in the group. We flew to Shanghai first, then made our way south via a tour bus towards the island of Zhujiajian. Along the way, we were awed by the scenic views and spectacular infrastructure, including the Jintang Bridge and Xihoumen Bridge.
We went via ferry to Putuo island, the sacred island of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. We spent the day walking around and checking out attractions like the Nanhai Guanyin Statue. Everywhere we went, we bumped into scores of pilgrims and tourists alike, worshipping and taking endless photos.
The next day, we went to Fenghua to visit the biggest copper statue of the Maitreya Buddha at Xuedou Mountain (the fifth sacred mountain in China). We could not help but smile when we saw the Buddha’s benevolent gaze.
We then went to Hangzhou, where we joined a cruise at the beautiful West Lake.
The writer (right) and ‘Chief’, with the outline of the sleeping Buddha in the background. — CHEE YEN LEE
At Mount Jiuhua, dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva or Dizangwang Pusa, we hiked up various hills to visit temples. The magnificent peaks were truly breathtaking, and since it was autumn, the trees had turned into a kaleidoscope of red and golden hues.
We took the cable car up to the Longevity Palace to visit the Yingshen Bodhisattva. At the viewing deck we saw the wonderful outline of the sleeping Buddha way yonder. We went to the Tiantai Scenic Area and hiked up the Heavenly Terrace temple.
Later, we made our way to Mount Niushou in Nanjing to visit the Foding Temple and Usnisa Palace, where Buddha’s relics were enshrined in the stunning temple. Countless devotees come here to worship and experience the beauty of the mountains and incredible architecture.
Outdoor escalators were installed at various parts of the plaza for the convenience of the elderly, and lazy folks like myself.
Throughout our trip, we visited and prayed at various historical temples and explored charming stone-paved streets, including some heritage towns. We roamed the modern township of Nianhua Bay in Wuxi, where buildings were built in the style of those in the Soong and Tang Dynasty eras.
Our tour bus made pit stops at a few rest stops. Some were designed akin to a small shopping mall, featuring convenience stores, eateries and clothing stores. I was impressed by some of the toilets that had a red/green light installed above each stall to indicate availability.
Once we were back in Shanghai, the abbot of Jing An Temple gave us a warm welcome, while temple representatives provided in-depth bi-lingual guided tours for the various shrine halls.
My last trip to Mount Putuo and Mount Jiuhua was about 20 years ago, and back then, they weren’t so well developed yet.
I do miss the traditional village charms, particularly in Mount Jiuhua.
Chief reminded us of the four virtues which are loving kindness, compassion, empathy and equanimity. “Lift a hand, light a heart” – these words manifested into actions during the trip through numerous ways.
Everyone was rejuvenated spiritually by the end of the trip.
The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.
