Witness the nature under the thousand-year-old lychee tree---The Zen of Fuzhou Xichan Ancient Temple

Xichan Temple, founded in the Tang Dynasty, was named Changqing Temple during the Five Dynasties and has been used ever since. Because there were Zen temples in all directions in Fuzhou in the old days, Changqing Temple was located in the western suburbs, so it was commonly known as "Xichan Temple". And Zen, Buddha said "the original face, the nirvana wonderful heart", is the method of becoming enlightened by seeing the nature in tranquility. Xichan Temple has been burned and rebuilt over the centuries, and the existing layout is slightly different from that of general temples. Entering the mountain gate, there is a nine-curved bridge with the layout of Jiangnan garden and a solemn and compassionate giant Guanyin statue. The silhouette of the Baoen Pagoda is faintly visible in the release pond, and under the cover of the pine forest and lychee trees is the solemnity of the Buddha Hall and dining hall. Walking along the nine-curved bridge, crossing the arch bridge, is like crossing the Naihe Bridge and saying goodbye to the past. Standing under the Baoen Pagoda, the temples behind the pagoda are ethereal and pure, the Heavenly King Hall, the Daxiong Treasure Hall, the Sutra Hall, the Jade Buddha Tower, the Guanyin Pavilion, all exude a kind of tranquility, as if there is a pure land in the far place where you are going. Close your eyes in front of the Buddha, and your mood will be renewed. Perhaps this is the meaning of Zen, everyone will have their own Zen. The place where Xichan Temple is located is anciently known as Yishan. The lychee of Yishan started in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty. Therefore, lychee trees were planted all over the temple when Xichan Temple was built. Lychee in Buddhism implies "perfect wisdom and unobstructed Buddha path". When the cicadas are singing and the lychees are ripe, eating three hundred lychees a day in the Zen temple, in addition to the sweetness that flows into the mouth, there is also the Buddha's intention that seeps into the heart. The thousand-year-old lychee tree has witnessed the ups and downs of Xichan Temple and also understood the Buddha's nature of a thousand years. On such an afternoon in winter, although it is not the season of lychee, you can sit quietly under the lychee tree facing the direction of the Buddha, let your restless heart calm down, say goodbye to 2023, and reconcile with your past self.