Jizu Mountain is located in Dali, Yunnan, also known as Jiuqu Mountain and Qingdian Mountain. It is the ashram of Lord Kasyapa and the gathering point of the three major sects of Buddhism. It enjoys a high status in the culture of Theravada Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism.

Jizu Mountain is located in Dali, Yunnan, also known as Jiuqu Mountain and Qingdian Mountain. It is the monastery of Venerable Kasyapa and the gathering point of the three major sects of Buddhism. It enjoys a high status in the culture of Southern Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Song monk Ciji became a monk and practiced Buddhism here, and Buddhism began to rise in Jizu Mountain. There are "eight large temples, thirty-four small temples, sixty-five nunneries, and more than one hundred and seventy quiet rooms" in Jizu Mountain. The famous ones include Jinding Temple, Chuandeng Temple, Prince Pavilion, Jiulian Temple, Kayaba Temple, Shizhong Temple, Jingguang Temple, etc.

Jizu Mountain, Dali, Yunnan, the monastery of Kassapa, where he abides by the Buddha's decree and enters concentration

The beautiful scenery of Jinding Temple in Jizu Mountain

Venerable Maha Kassapa, a disciple of the Buddha, the organization first gathered

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Venerable Kassapa, namely Maha Kassapa , Sanskrit transliteration, meaning drinking light, also known as Maha Kassapa, one of the ten disciples of Buddha . Maha Kassapa was born into a Brahmin family in the outskirts of Rajagaha , the capital of the Kingdom of Capricorn in Central India. The family had more wealth than the king at that time. When he was born, his mother was sitting under the big Bibala tree in the courtyard to rest. A heavenly garment fell from the sky, and his parents named him Bibalayana, which means born under the tree. Kasyapa was smart and good at learning, liked to live alone, and despised lust. Later, he married Miao Xian, but they slept in different beds and stayed together for twelve years. Later, Kassapa became a monk and followed the Buddha and became the most trusted disciple of the Buddha. During the establishment of the group, the elder Kassapa and the young Ananda were recognized as the most suitable candidates to succeed the Buddha, especially Kassapa. The so-called smiling smile of Nianhua when Zhengfayanzang gave instructions at the Lingshan meeting is the original allusion of Zen Buddhism.

Ninety days after the Buddha's death, Venerable Kassapa organized a group of monks to gather the sutras and laws spoken by the Buddha when he lived in the world. Among them, Venerable Ananda recited the sutras and Venerable Upali recited the laws. The elders then reviewed and revised the sutras and laws recited into Buddhist scriptures. Afterwards, the Venerable Kassapa brought the cassocks worn by the Buddha to Jizu Mountain. The peak suddenly split open, and in the center of the mountain appeared the Zen seat of the Venerable Kassapa. The Venerable Kassapa sat on the ground and said, "I will use my supernatural powers." I will try my best to protect the Buddha's cassock and my body. When the Maitreya Bodhisattva , who is 5.7 billion years old, is born as a Buddha, I will live in the world again and assist Maitreya to continue to save and teach all living beings." For this reason, Jizu Mountain was revered as Kasyapa Dojo and became the center of Buddhism in Yunnan.

The statue of the Venerable Kassapa

The Yihui Archway of Lingshan Mountain, the Zhengfa Eye Store instructs Kassapa, and the allusions of Zen Buddhism with a smile on his hand

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Dali, Yunnan, was first included in the territory of China in the Han Dynasty. At that time, it was the place of Yizhou County. In the middle of Tang Dynasty, Nanzhao Mengshi established itself as Nanzhao Kingdom. In the later Jin Dynasty of the Five Dynasties, Duan family established Dali Kingdom after Mengshi. The capital was Dali. In the Yuan Dynasty, Yunnan Province was built and Dali Prefecture was established. During the Three Kingdoms period, a small nunnery was first built in Jizu Mountain and expanded during the Tang Dynasty. Buddhism was at its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

According to literature records, Buddhism was introduced to Dali in the early Tang Dynasty. At that time, there were many temples and it was known as the Land of Miaoxiang Buddhism. During the Kaiyuan period (713-741), the envoy Zhang Jiancheng brought Chinese Buddhism to Yunnan, and Dali Buddhism formed a situation where the Southern Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism were all spread. The Nanzhao royal family believed in Buddhism, and seven emperors took refuge in Buddhism and became monks. During the Xiantong years (859-874), eight hundred large temples and three thousand small temples were built, and the sutras chanted were the same as those in China. During the Song Dynasty Monk Tzu Chi became a monk and practiced Buddhism at Junshi Mountain in Qingding Mountain. Buddhism began to rise in Jizu Mountain. In the Yuan Dynasty, monks such as , Yuankong, , Fongfang, and Yuanyuan successively came to practice Buddhism.

Buddhism flourished in Jizu Mountain during the Ming Dynasty. Eminent monks such as Yuanqing, Jingmu, Zhouli, Wuzhu, Hongru, Dacuo and Dandan successively became monks and practiced Buddhism in Jizu Mountain. From Jiajing to Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, hundreds of large and small temples were built in Jizu Mountain, with thousands of monks living on the mountain. After the Qing Dynasty, Buddhism continued to develop in Jizu Mountain, and Zhusheng Temple , Surangama Pagoda and other temples and towers were built successively. During this period, eminent monks such as Xuyun, Zixing, Hongshu, and Puxing were built.

Buddha picks flowers, Kassapa smiles

Venerable Kassapa

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There are eight large temples and four out of thirty small temples in Jizu Mountain. The famous ones are Jinding Temple, Chuandeng Temple, Kasyapa Hall, etc.

Jinding Temple was founded in the Ming Dynasty, during the Jiajing period (1522-1560), Li Yuanyang built the Puguang Hall. After the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Guangming Pagoda, Guanfeng Pavilion and Tianchang Pavilion were built. In the 20th year of Chongzhen html (1637), Shanyu Pavilion was built, and Luo City was built around it. Gate towers were set up on all sides for overlooking. This is where the name of the Four Views comes from. Later, the Duke of Guizhou Mu Tianbo moved the bronze and gold palace of Taihe Palace on Parrot Mountain in the eastern suburbs of Kunming to the top of Tianzhu Peak, from which the Golden Summit Temple got its name.

Kasyapa Hall was originally named Kasaya Hall. According to ancient records, in the seventh year of King Ling of Zhou (565 BC), Muni Buddha was born and his robes were passed down here, hence the name Kassapa Hall. During the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty (742-756), the sandalwood statue of Kassapa carved by Ananda Tuo was offered to the temple, so it was renamed Kassapa Hall. Kassapa Hall is a three-level hall, the first one is Maitreya Hall, dedicated to Maitreya Buddha and the four heavenly kings, the second level is Guanyin Hall, dedicated to Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes Avalokitesvara . There are murals of Lingshan Meeting scenes in the hall. Close to the south of Kassapa Hall is the Patriarch Hall, which houses the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, the murals Sakyamuni and the portraits of his disciples Eighteen Arhats .

Kassapa Hall, the three major halls, is dedicated to the sandalwood Kassapa statue and was renamed

The statue of Lord Kassapa in Kassapa Hall

Golden Summit Temple

Jinding Temple

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Jizu Mountain enjoys a high reputation in countries in South and Southeast Asia. It has been a favorite holy place for Chinese and foreign Buddhism since ancient times. Grand Buddhist activities are held every year on the Buddha's Birthday and the Buddha's Enlightenment Day.

The Chaoshan Festival is one month before and after the Spring Festival every year. Believers come to Jizu Mountain to worship. It is the busiest time in Jizu Mountain. On the night of the pilgrimage, the crowds of people are crowded all night long.

In 2003, Jizu Mountain was rated as a national 4A-level scenic spot.

Jizu Mountain Chaoshan Society

Jizu Mountain Chaoshan Society

(picture source from the Internet, deleted for infringement)