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Gushan: Yongquan Temple

It was the most colorful temple on the mountain

Yongquan, which means Copious or Vigorous Spring in Chinese, Temple is located at the foot of the White Cloud Peak of Gushan Mountain.  It was first built in the Five Dynasties in 908 AD. The current temple was re-built in 1882. This Buddhist temple complex consists of numerous temple halls. In the middle hall of the Great Buddha's Hall was three figures of Buddha representing the past, the present, and the future. I guess this is kind of like Ghost of the Past, the Present, and the Future in Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol." :-) One of the treasures at the temple was a table made of "iron" wood" that cannot burn and get moist on cloudy days. By ignoring the sign that "tourists keep out" Theresa and Uncle 12 went into the kitchen and checked out the huge iron pot that was used to steam rice. They were then shooed out by some monks. I was too shy to go in, thus missing a good photo opportunity.

We had a good time exploring this place with Uncle 12. He was so impressed by the place that he asked a monk about staying here in order to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the city. Of course he would have to share the vegetarian meals with the resident Buddhist monks. Uncle 12 was contemplating about coming back here for a three-day vacation!