Drum Mountain

[Photo/ fjta.com]

The temple spread its name further as it made contribution to the development of Buddhism in China. Its founder, Master Shen Yan, was conferred an honorary title of Guoshi by the King of Min; later, Master Miao Lian was favorably treated by Empress Dowager Cixi during the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1871-1908) in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911); and in modern times, Master Yuan Ying was selected as the president of the National Buddhist Association. All these testify to the crucial role the temple has played in the Buddhist circle.

The imposing temple possesses majestic shining halls and awe-inspiring Buddhist figures. The annually blossoming sago cycas trees (a species that rarely blossoms), the uninflammable wenge altar, and the blood scriptures written by generations of accomplished monks are valued as the three treasures of the temple.

These aside, over 300 age-old stone inscriptions could be found in the mountain. But most are around the Lingyuan Cave. Here with a collection of various styles, it's a rare natural calligraphy gallery of generations of historically famous poets and scholars.