The First Zen Forest of West Sichuan: Zhaojue Temple and the Ancestral Court of Zen

The "First Zen Forest" of Western Sichuan

1.Located at: No. 222 Zhaojue Temple South Road in the Jinniu District of Chengdu, adjacent to the Chengdu Zoo, Zhaojue Temple (Zhaojue Si) is a prestigious Buddhist sanctuary known as the "First Zen Forest in Western Sichuan" (Chuanxi Diyi Conglin). Unlike temples hidden deep in remote mountains, Zhaojue Temple sits amidst the urban hustle, offering a profound sense of tranquility and solemnity the moment one steps through its gates. Covering an area of about 100,000 square meters, it serves as a major hub for Zen Buddhism in the region. The temple's history dates back to the Tang Dynasty (Kaiyuan period, 713-741 AD), originally named Jianyuan Temple. It was established by the Zen Master Wuxiang (Kim Ho-shang), a prince of the Silla Kingdom (ancient Korea), highlighting an early cultural exchange between China and Korea. In the Song Dynasty, it was renamed Zhaojue, meaning "To Illuminate and Enlighten." After suffering damage from wars in the late Ming Dynasty, it was grandly reconstructed during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty under the leadership of the eminent monk Poshan Haiming, establishing the magnificent layout seen today,.

Architectural Grandeur and the 500 Arhats

2.The architectural layout of Zhaojue: Temple follows a strict central axis, typical of traditional Chinese Buddhist temples. Visitors pass through the Mountain Gate, the Octagonal Pavilion, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Grand Mahavira Hall (Da Xiong Bao Dian), and the Sutra Library. The Grand Mahavira Hall is the core of the complex, housing a majestic golden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by two other Buddhas and surrounded by the Eighteen Arhats. The structures feature exquisite Qing Dynasty style eaves and colorful paintings, exuding an atmosphere of ancient dignity. A major highlight is the Arhat Hall (Luohan Tang), which houses 500 life-sized statues of Arhats. These statues are considered masterpieces of Ming and Qing sculpture, each displaying a unique expression—some contemplating, some laughing, and some fierce—capturing the "sudden enlightenment" philosophy of Zen Buddhism. It is said that visitors can find an Arhat that resembles themselves among the crowd, adding a touch of interactive fun to the spiritual visit,.

A Legacy of Zen Masters and Calligraphy

Zhaojue Temple is not just a place of worship but a repository of Zen wisdom and art. It is the ancestral court where the famous Zen Master Yuanwu Keqin wrote the Blue Cliff Record (Biyan Lu), a seminal text in Zen Buddhism (specifically the Chan tradition). The temple grounds are adorned with numerous stone tablets and steles from the Tang, Song, and Qing dynasties, recording the stories of Zen masters and the temple's history. The Sutra Library stores tens of thousands of volumes of Buddhist classics, including rare woodblock prints and hand-copied scriptures. The temple is also home to towering ancient cypress trees, some of which are legendary, said to have been planted in the Tang Dynasty or by the monk Poshan Haiming himself. These trees provide shade for the tea gardens and pathways, creating a serene environment where the scent of incense mixes with the fresh air, perfect for meditation and reflection,,.

3.The Zen Lifestyle: Tea and Vegetarian Food

4.Experiencing Zhaojue: Temple is also about tasting the local lifestyle. The temple is famous for its Vegetarian Restaurant, which is renowned across Chengdu. Dishes like "Tofu Pudding" and various imitation meat dishes made from gluten and tofu are prepared with exquisite skill, offering a non-greasy, flavorful culinary experience that attracts foodies and pilgrims alike. Additionally, the open-air Tea Garden nestled under the ancient trees is a quintessential Chengdu experience. Here, visitors can sit on bamboo chairs, sip jasmine tea from a "Gaiwan" (covered bowl), and listen to the rhythmic chanting of monks or the rustling of bamboo leaves. It offers a perfect escape from the city's fast pace, embodying the harmonious blend of religious devotion and the leisurely spirit of Chengdu,.