But also in the media, it is seen that every morning, hundreds of Indians in the midst of the pandemic go to bathe in the Ganges River. No masks. No spacing. They hardly know or need to know what a Pandemic is… Peaceful Ganges! That’s the real India! Peaceful India is a country of religion! The etymology of the sacred Ganges is “Ganga”, the embodiment of the goddess Ganga – the daughter of the Himalayas – the guardian deity – the great mother of the country. Legend has it that in order to save the people from the severe drought, the god Sihva pulled a river from the sky above the heavens to flow through his hair for thousands of years and then poured down to earth. In the Vedas, there are also the most solemn words praising the Ganges River, which has the function of dissolving all sins and cleansing all impurities. According to Hindu beliefs – the majority of the Indian continent, bathing in the Ganges River means that all sins are washed away. If you drink river water before you die, it is a good omen for both the living and those who return to heaven. Many Hindus also ask to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges and then scatter the ashes into the river. Throughout history, since the legend, every morning, at dawn, tens of thousands of Indians flock to the banks of the Ganges River to bathe, meet, share, and chat. For them it is a great gift of life, so no power can take it away, not even the scary but invisible COVID virus… In the symbol of humanity, “water” which symbolizes the purification of desire directs people to the bright and benevolent domain. Because it is a flow, “river” is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. Moreover, it is also a symbol of purity (because of being purified) and an instrument of liberation. But with Indian culture, the holy Ganges River has a higher symbolic meaning than “giving prosperity and blessed salvation”. Therefore, those who bathe in the Ganges river will be “transmitted purity into their hearts” by the goddess. Most Hindus certainly believe so! The Ganges River becomes the patron god of the life and people of India, the mother river that flows cultural flows into the body of Indian society. Where there is lack of spiritual water from that spiritual flow, that place is not India! The most primitive legend tells that the goddess Ganga was always standing on a sea monster, which was her means of transportation. Her holy face was both stern, tolerant, kind, and holy. Her figure shows a symbol of strength, nobility, courage. She always wears a crown to reveal her high, pure, bright forehead. She always wears a necklace low down to her bountiful breasts symbolizing her ability to bestow prosperity… This legend is the fulcrum for two immortal epics, “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata”, the most massive ancient epics in the world. The “Mahabharata” alone is 7 times the length of the “Iliad” and “Odyssey” combined. A Battle on the banks of the Ganges in “Ramayana”! It can be affirmed that the structure of the massive “Mahabharata” epic is the structure of the great Ganges river flow because the river is like an artistic symbol expressing the spiritual life of the main characters, who govern and direct the people. as a spiritual leader. The opening part of the epic tells about the origin of genealogies with the main core being that the Vasus family sinned against the Taoist Vasita, so they were reincarnated into the world as the children of the goddess Ganges and King Santanu. As soon as they were born, they were thrown into the river by their mother (goddess) to free them from the Taoist spell. This is a great and constant archetype so that everyone wants to bathe in the Ganges River in the future with the desire to wash away sins. The motif of bathing in the sea and sacred river water becomes a common symbol for human culture talking about renewal and rebirth. God of Fire in Greek mythology was a naughty, hyperactive boy who once provoked Dot, so he was thrown into the sea, unfortunately, he fell on an island and lost his leg. Since then, the Fire god has been limping (flashing like fire!). In Egyptian mythology, Prince Morann, son of the king of Cairpe, was born a mute monster and was thrown into the sea. Fortunately, the sea water broke the monster mask so that later the prince became a great judge… But among those episodes, the meaning of bathing in the Ganges river is the most enduring, followed by many people. Best. And maybe forever as long as there is the Ganges! When epic wars occurred, the Ganges River served as a witness to history. Only in the space of the Ganges can the characters “enlighten” the truth and morality as well as the principles of Indian spiritual life, of the Indian spirit of peace and selflessness. Sacred water helps them return to their human roots to neutralize hatred. In front of the Ganges, the sinner will realize his sin and repent… There is an event that no one will miss when reading “Mahabharata” when the villain Aswatthama fled to the banks of the Ganges with the most cruel revenge of killing the Pandava family’s grandson still in the womb. but this action was nullified by the god Krishna. Then the whole Pandava family forgave him… It turned out that the Ganges had sanctified people. Since then forgiveness has become an Indian character, an Indian spirituality. At the end of the war, despite the victory, there is no victory song, because the war is destruction anyway, on both sides. King Yudhisthira triumphantly ascended the throne, but there were no grand festivals. Just a ritual sacrifice: “The king went to the Ganges River and according to the traditional custom of offering sacrifices to pray for the souls of the deceased to rest.” It should be said more clearly that the king prayed for all the dead souls, both on this side, on the other side, regardless. This detail shows more clearly the human meaning of the king’s enthronement without the corresponding ritual. It’s an Indian identity! And yet, King Yudhisthira is also depicted when standing in front of the Ganges River, he is like standing in front of a sacred, sacred and extremely mysterious cathedral, and then the mood rises with torment about what he has caused suffering to people. other. He repented. He judges and punishes himself. He became a symbol of endurance and patience… This symbol entered Indian culture and became a living and action maxim: “Patience is the highest virtue!”, “Tolerance is fame, endurance is glory!”. The Indian cosmology is also: “All things operate according to the principle of endurance!”. So we understand the modern Indian revolution based on the principle of non-violence! Because the moral concepts of endurance and patience have become the spiritual foundation of Indian society! In the epic “Ramayana” the characters always pray and bow to the Ganges. The character always considers the river a fulcrum of strength, a moral fulcrum for action. It is a creed as constant in each character. Legend has it that King Xagara sent sixty thousand sons to find the lost sacrificial horse. Those sons traveled all over the world, finally finding the horse near Kapila. They immediately thought that He was a thief. Enraged, the god Kapila burned all the children of King Xagara. The king’s grandson, Angxumana, received advice: “You must make offerings to the sacred water of Ganga. Okay, then the ashes of these sixty thousand people will go to heaven.” Indeed, when offering water to the Ganges River, the souls of the dead are liberated to the high land of bliss. Legend is deeply ingrained, imprinted in the Indian mind: When you die, you will be cremated on the banks of the Ganges River is a happiness! Tradition must always be in sync with the present for people to enter civilization. To hold on to tradition is to be conservative. The whole world is making the best efforts to prevent the epidemic … but in India it is not yet. That’s the lesson: A traditional gem in the light of modern science will shine even brighter!

Yen Tu is not only a sacred mountain of Vietnamese Buddhism but also a cultural and historical destination with extremely interesting natural scenery. Among the Yen Tu relic complex, the most famous is the Dong Yen Tu scenic area in Uong Bi city, Quang Ninh province. If you have come to Yen Tu on a fun but crowded spring festival, come back to pilgrimage these autumn days, explore hundreds of pagodas and towers, and follow in the footsteps of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong – who left The king ascended the mountain to practice and founded the Truc Lam Zen sect with Vietnamese imprints 700 years ago. Right from the foot of the mountain, visitors can hardly count all the ancient pagodas with different legends: Bi Thuong Pagoda where the ceremony is performed before going up the mountain, Suoi Bath Pagoda where the Buddha stopped to shake off the dust, Cam pagoda. Real – the king began to use spring water instead of rice, pagoda and Giai Oan stream where the palace maidens were immersed in unsuccessfully advising the king to return, the fog drifted in the murmuring stream like meditation music. The most wonderful pilgrimage route is the road to the mountain through thousands of stone steps, a total length of about 6,000m, deserted by pedestrians. Although the road is long, but in the cool autumn weather and beautiful poetic scenery can dispel fatigue and depression, everyone’s footsteps are lighter. Walking under the trees, don’t forget to stop to rest and enjoy the ancient space in Duong Tung, the road about 200m thick with soaring pine trees with a lifespan of 700 years, cool foliage. On the way, there is also a supple, green Truc Forest in the middle of the mountains. Tung – Truc are symbols of Yen Tu, bearing the mettle and thoughts in harmony with nature of the ancients. If you are not healthy enough, you can choose the cable car to go up the mountain, visit the main temples. From the cable car, the magnificent scenery of Yen Tu National Forest is captured in sight. Up high, white clouds quickly covered, echoing the song On the top of Phu Van: The vastness of Phu Van Yen Tu / Vi vu vi vu Truc Lam meditation / To the top of the mountain three meters from the sky / To the bottom deep valley, long river. At an altitude of about 600m, visitors will encounter a quiet and majestic tower garden. That is the garden of the ancestral tower, the center of which is Hue Quang Tower, where the Buddha’s residence is located, the faint scent of incense darkens the time. Climbing the towering steps to Hoa Yen Pagoda, the 700-year-old ancient trees with thin branches and leaves imprinted with frost will surely make you admire. Hoa Yen Pagoda has a grand and majestic architecture leaning against the back of the mountain, which is the main temple of the whole Yen Tu pagoda system. Nestled on the cliff, hidden deep in the mountain is a unique pagoda with only one roof as the name suggests: Mot Mai Pagoda. Standing here, visitors will feel the peace and serenity as if they were far away from the world, only the sound of muffled chanting echoes. The Ngu Duoc am, Thung am (where apothecary), Bao Sai Van Tieu pagoda, … are all looming in the white clouds. The space is quiet, the wind and clouds come and go like a fairyland. On the way over the craggy stone steps to the top of the mountain, stop to admire the statue of An Ky Sinh, a natural rock shaped like a monk with his hands clasped respectfully, ao dai. Legend has it that in the 3rd century BC, Taoist An Ky Sinh came here from the North to practice religion. Majestic in the middle of the sacred land is the Buddha statue of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong. The monolithic bronze statue, weighing 138 tons, was inaugurated on the occasion of the 705 anniversary of the Buddha’s passing into Nirvana in 2013. The top of the mountain is here, Dong Pagoda – a unique temple cast entirely in bronze on an altitude of 1,068m. Even in the middle of a beautiful sunny autumn, it is difficult to see the temple not engulfed in clouds, but the moment standing on the top of the sacred mountain with relaxation, freedom and stillness makes anyone satisfied. At the end of the journey, visitors can visit destinations with a space imbued with meditation and culture of the Tran Dynasty at the foot of the mountain, participate in retreats or simply spend time relaxing, finding the best value for money. own simplicity.

Regarding Wuhan, it is a big city with big rivers and lakes, and it is also Chushan, Chushui and Chuwen. It is both modern and classical, and it is different every day. Walking in this city of mountains and rivers, the architectural style is impressive and refreshing.

Wuchang and Hankou face each other across the river. In the depths of the modern high-rise buildings on both sides of the strait, each has its own clean blessed land. The view of Changchun in Wuchang and the Gude Temple in Hankou can be regarded as “wonderful architectural works”.

The former Taoist temple contains a Tibetan-style and Western-style building, making it the “only” among domestic Taoism.

In the latter temple, a Yuantong Temple is mixed with the characteristics of Eurasian religious architecture, which can be regarded as “a great wonder of Buddhist resorts” and “the first wonder of Buddhist temples in Han Dynasty”.

However, the two religious sites are difficult for outsiders to find, and it is also difficult to find them specially. Although they are scenic spots, their names are almost invisible in the list of tourist attractions in Wuhan.

Surprisingly, the locals in Wuhan are not familiar with them either. When I went to Gude Temple, I heard that many people in Wuhan didn’t know its existence. When I went to Changchun to view it, many people from Wuhan said that they often passed by and never went in to take a look.

The Buddha has a pure place, and the Tao has the law of nature. As far as spiritual cultivation is concerned, the two occupy the same position in my heart. The Gude Temple was founded in the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty by a monk named Long Xi, who was originally named “Gude Maopeng”.

After two expansions, the post temple was renamed “Gude Temple”, which means “good spirits of the ancients, Pudu with virtue”.

However, I am too vulgar. I walked into this place. Although I have an ancient mind and nature, I can’t match the “Pudu with virtue”. But it is also because of the ancient nature of the heart that allowed me to find this hidden place in this big city. From the perspective of architecture alone, it is very literary and beautiful, and it can be called the most beautiful ancient temple in Wuhan.

The core building of the Gude Temple is the Yuantong Temple. The Eurasian religious architectural style of the Yuantong Temple makes Gude Temple unique. This temple also integrates the three major Buddhist schools of Mahayana, Theravada, and Tibetan Buddhism. This is in the Han Dynasty Buddhist Temple. Medium is very rare.

Unlike traditional Chinese temples with yellow tiles, red pillars, and cornices, the Yuantong Temple has both Gothic Christian church architectural styles, Roman Catholic churches, Byzantine Eastern Orthodox churches and Islamic mosque styles. The architectural culture of Chinese temples can be said to be unique.

Between the inner and outer walls of the palace, a circular corridor is designed with many square pillars. The round windows and long windows on the facade are in accordance with the architectural style of the Christian church. There are nine pagodas and pagodas on the hall.

The most unforgettable thing for me is the design of the window. Notre Dame de Paris appeared in my mind the first time I saw it.

Can’t help but be puzzled, why does Wuhan have such a variety of Buddhist temples? As a Buddhist temple, why does it have a Western religious architectural style? Was this kind of building formed at the beginning of the establishment of Gude Temple, or was it added in the later expansion?

In this regard, I checked a lot of information, but did not find the details.

The Gude Temple was first founded by Long Xi, but it was abbot of Master Changhong from 1914-1919, and it was expanded twice. Under the auspices of Master Hongchang, the Gude Temple grew stronger and stronger. Not only did it add additional buildings to the temple, but also began to design the Daxiong Hall, which was completed in 1913. In 1919, Master Luangpo took over as the presiding officer. In the autumn of 1921, the temple was expanded again, mainly by converting the original Mahaung Hall into Yuantong Hall and repairing other temples. This expansion lasted 13 years.

From this, it can be inferred that the appearance of Yuantong Palace today is likely to have appeared under the design of Master Hongchang, and has undergone more cultural modifications under the expansion of Master Longpo.

Many researchers believe that the Gude Temple was built in imitation of the Ananda Temple, a group of pagoda-type temples in the Indian Panawa architectural style, and the Yuantong Temple was built in the art form of the Ananda Temple in Myanmar. But when this style was built and why it was built like this, it has become a mystery due to the lack of information (it is a mystery to me, friends who know the details may wish to tell).

However, the Yuantong Palace is not entirely a foreign architectural style, but also has considerable Chinese elements.

This temple is dominated by the tower-type buildings of Southern Buddhism. The overall layout adopts the layout of the three courtyards of Han Buddhism and the seven halls. The facade of the temple adopts the traditional Chinese square shape. There are 96 lotus squares on the four sides of the roof Pier wait. In addition to the striking Western and Southeast Asian architectural styles, it also absorbs the architectural style and inspiration of Chinese Han Buddhism.

Compared with the Gude Temple, the Changchun Temple in Wuchang has a grand scale, a rigorous structure and a reasonable layout.

Changchun Temple is a typical Chinese Taoism. Most of its main buildings are completely Taoist. Only the Taoist pavilion makes Changchun Temple the “only” among the domestic Taoist buildings, and it is also the “Changchun Temple”. One of the three must-dos”.

The overall building color of Daozang Pavilion is white, and its eaves are in the Chinese style with angled cornices, but most of the structure is European style: huge glass windows, slender and straight columns, external corridors, cement “plastic” floral decorations… …As for the Tibetan architectural style, it is located in Daozang Pavilion (due to the closed doors and windows, it has not been appreciated).

Among them, the traditional flower decorations made of cement “stacked plastic” under the eaves have lost their craftsmanship. Perhaps this is the case. Daozang Pavilion’s “one unique” meaning is even longer.

Daozang Pavilion has this style, and it is said that there are two reasons for its formation.

One is that the imperial minister who helped build the Changchun View in the late Qing Dynasty was a Manchu and believed in Tibetan Buddhism. The craftsmen used were influenced by it and decorated the temple with the Tibetan mascot elephant and saffron motifs.

The second is that Hou Yongde, the host of Changchun Temple in the late Qing Dynasty, was originally a member of Zuo Zongtang’s generals. Because of the influence of Western thoughts, he combined European and Chinese styles to build the country’s only European-style building as the main Taoist building: Dao Zang Pavilion.

But compared to the Yuantong Hall of the Gude Temple, the Taoist Pavilion in Changchun Temple is simple and majestic, but not eye-catching. If I hadn’t checked the relevant information about Changchunguan in advance, I would have walked to this building, and I would have never thought that it is part of the Changchunguan complex.

After all, looking from the traditional Taoist building complex, it is somewhat “alien”, no matter its color or structure, it is hard to think of Taoism. There is only one such building in Taoism in China.

Daozang Pavilion is suspected to be a Daoist lecture hall, and it can be understood as a large-scale Daoist series of books containing many classics. The “Tao Zang” is just a collection of Taoist scriptures.

But when I checked relevant information on the Internet, I found that many important meetings and events were also held here, but the time was still long and the latest information was very scarce. It seems that if you want to figure out this Taoist Pavilion, you have to consult the Taoist in the Taoist temple or the library.

Choosing to go to Taoist temples or ancient temples on rainy days is not just a simple visit to me, at least I also have a sincere attitude.

Tao… “Dao can be Tao, but it is not a constant Tao. A name can be a name, but not a constant name. Nameless, the beginning of all things; famous, the mother of all things.”

Whenever we mention Taoist temples, we can’t help but think of a Taoist temple with thousands of years of history hidden in the mountains and plains above the sea of ​​pine trees. What impresses me is the Louguan Terrace hidden in the depths of the Qinling Mountains.

But the view of Changchun in the bustling and busy city made me amazed, and I couldn’t help secretly happy: visiting on rainy days is really a wise choice.

Wuhan Changchun Temple is built on the south slope of Shuangfeng Mountain in the northeast corner of Changda East Gate and in the middle of Snake Mountain. It is one of the famous Taoist places in my country. The Guannei worships the Quanzhen Taoist school, and is named “Changchunzi” by its founder, Qiu Chuji Road, the disciple of Chongyang Patriarch. name.

Changchun Temple has a long history and origins in Taoism. It was built in the Yuan Dynasty by the disciples of Qiu Chuji to commemorate his persuasion to “stop killing with one word” when the Yuan army went south.

During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the Changchun Temple was hailed as “a famous area in Jiangchu, where Daozi gathered, and the place of refuge for Huangguan”.

The view of Changchun rises up on the mountain, with successive layers of buildings, with rigorous structure, decent layout, and grand scale.

The main buildings are the Lingguan Hall, the Second Temple, the Taiqing Hall, the Ancient God Altar, the Ancient Xiannong Altar, the Shifangtang, the Jingtang, the Great Guest Hall, the Merit Temple, the Dashige, the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion, the Taoist Pavilion, the Qiu Zudian, and the abbot Hall, Shipu Hall, Chunyang Temple, etc.

Most of these buildings are brick and wood structures, with bucket arches and eaves, and the carvings are delicate and vivid, delicate and elegant.

Among them, Daozang Pavilion is very magical. Its architecture has Tibetan style and European style. It can be regarded as one of the three best Taoist temples, making Changchun Temple the only building group with Tibetan and European styles of Taoism in our country.

In addition, the “Two Wonders” are the “astronomical map” (very precious astronomical cultural relics) left in the country, and the stone carving of “Gantang” gifted by Emperor Qianlong (one of the few emperor’s inscriptions in Taoist architecture).

Although Changchun Taoist Temple is a place for Taoist cultivation of morals and rituals, it has become a tourist attraction because of its quiet scenery and elegant architecture. Its “three uniques” have attracted many tourists.

And I chose to come here on rainy days because of the four words “Tao law nature”, natural wind, natural rain, Taoist natural philosophy is looming.

This Taoist temple is not the same as all the Taoist temples I have seen. If there are similarities, the Kaiyuan Temple located in the ancient city of Jingzhou can be compared with it.

Kaiyuan View, like Changchun View, also faces the street market, and there is constant traffic in the bustling world.

Coincidentally, I visited Kaiyuan Temple and Changchun Temple on rainy days. Although Kaiyuan Temple has no Taoist priests and true believers of the rites and spirits, the quiet and simple environment still makes people feel “the realm of distant mountains.”

The Changchun Temple is more obvious. It is known as “a quiet and blessed place in the busy city”. It often makes people travel between history and modern civilization. The stone wall weeds in the Taoist Temple make me feel like I am in a distant mountain in a light rain. .

When I came to Changchun Temple on a rainy day, there were very few tourists, which made me feel more peaceful. On the way, I also saw a lot of Taoist priests, one of them was quite immortal. In the words of a friend, “very cool”.

But I don’t know if it is because of him or because of the environment, the artistic conception of “deep mountains and old forests, gradually entering fairyland” has become more intense.

As the rain gets wet, the secluded environment and quaint buildings are breathtaking, and the occasional strolling kittens and roosters add infinite aura.

When my lens is facing the moss, rock walls, weeds, and wildflowers, my eyes are staring at them. The deeper I go, the quieter the atmosphere, and the greater the cohesion of nature. The wisdom, The goodness of all things lies in the gap.

“Tao” is the way of the universe, the way of nature, and the way of individual practice.

Virtue is the foundation and Tao is sublimation. “Tao” generates all things and is connoted in all things. “Dao” is in things, and things are in “Dao”. All things and all things go to the same destination by different paths, and they all lead to “Dao”.

Tao, where is the Tao?

Along the wet stone steps, passing by cats and roosters, through various halls, to the highest point.

The modern city construction is very eye-catching. This centuries-old Taoist temple is surrounded by it, but because of the “deep artistic conception”, the bustling and bustling city is forgotten.

At this moment, staring at it, the tall buildings are no different from the mountain peaks, the traffic is like beasts, and the joys and sorrows in the world are just like plants and trees.

As the rain became stronger, when I returned to the eaves of a temple of Taoism, I watched the raindrops fall down along the blue tiles, and watched it splash on the stone slabs and produce water flowers. My heart seemed to be here. Melt into one, like a hermit.