Encountering a Poetic Zen Realm at Lingfeng Mountain in Anji

🌄Encountering a Poetic Zen Realm at Lingfeng Mountain in Anji🌄 "The cicadas' chirp makes the woods seem quieter; birds' songs render the mountains more serene." When the trivialities and clamor of life left me utterly exhausted, I embarked on a journey to Lingfeng Mountain Scenic Area in Anji, yearning to find inner peace amidst nature and Zen. Lingfeng Mountain, located in Anji County as an extension of the North Tianmu Mountain range, offers convenient access yet feels like a world apart from earthly disturbances. Upon entering the scenic area, the first sight that greets you is a towering ancient forest. These majestic trees, with their interwoven branches, stand like steadfast guardians of time, silently recounting tales of millennia. Walking through them, the thick layer of fallen leaves beneath your feet rustles softly, as if playing a gentle symphony of nature. Following the winding mountain path, you'll discover peaks of extraordinary shapes and rocks of peculiar forms. The towering Baizhang Peak and the solemn Daxiong Peak each possess their unique charm. The expansive Wangyun Terrace stretches a hundred feet wide, evoking the bold imagination of plucking stars from the sky; the Lingfo Stone resembles the Buddha sitting in serene composure, his compassionate countenance seemingly offering salvation to all beings. The natural caves—Golden Immortal Cave, Bamboo Immortal Cave, and Huayan Cave—each hold enchanting legends, adding a mystical aura to Lingfeng Mountain. The waters of Lingfeng Mountain are like animated poetry. The Dongqing and Meihua streams meander through the left and right valleys, their crystal-clear waters babbling joyfully as if whispering the mountain's tender affections. On clear nights, the Yingyue Pool reflects the bright moon, creating a dreamlike beauty. At the summit lies the North Tianmu Pond, deep and vast, never drying up throughout the year, as if containing boundless wisdom. The refreshing and sweet Huanxi Spring and Anyang Spring offer a sip of pure delight, instantly nourishing both body and soul. Lingfeng Temple is undoubtedly the heart of the scenic area. This renowned Jiangnan temple, built during the Later Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period, boasts a history of over 1,100 years. Nestled against the main peak of Lingfeng Mountain, with a babbling spring to its left and five peaks rising to its right, the temple's exceptional feng shui makes it resemble a golden phoenix cradled by the mountains under the sunlight. Ancient trees tower before the temple, lush and verdant, while the surrounding peaks rise majestically, shrouded in mist. Stepping into the temple, the wafting incense and chanting of sutras instantly dispel the restlessness within. Here, I witnessed devout worshippers holding incense, eyes closed in prayer, their gazes filled with hope for life. I participated in a scripture-copying experience, finding serenity in each stroke of the brush as I felt the power of the written words. In the temple's vegetarian dining hall, I savored simple yet Zen-infused meals, grasping the truth behind "every grain of rice and every drop of porridge comes from hard work." Lingfeng Mountain Scenic Area in Anji is both a gift of nature and a sanctuary for the soul. Here, I rediscovered long-lost tranquility and gained inner strength. If you, too, yearn to escape the clamor, come take a stroll at Lingfeng Mountain—listen to the mountain breeze, behold the ancient temple, and let your body and mind be nourished and healed in this enchanting land.