 The
Abbots Room is to the north of Dharma Hall. In 1750, when
visiting Mount Song, Emperor Gao Zong of Qing Dynasty visited
the temple he lodged in this room. After that the room was also
known as the Dragon hall, since the dragon is the symbol of the
emperor. |
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| An iron bell cast in 1336 and
weighing 325 kg, is hanging on the east end of the front eve, on
which the names of Abbot Xi An and a Japanese monk, Shoogen, are
cut. Since Shoogen worked in this temple as a secretary, he was
often called Secretary Shoogen.To the west of the Abbot's Room
is a lounge where the elder abbots can rest; and to the east is
another house built in the Ming Dynasty, originally called Kuo
Ran Tang (Quit Hall). It has gone through quite a number of
repairs and is now called Jing Zhong Jing (More Quiet Than Quiet).
The wing rooms are monk's dwelling places. Opposite the Abbot's
Room there used to be an carved arch built in the Qing Dynasty.
It was the last building destroyed by the fire in 1928. In the south-room walls of the Abbot's Yard are inlaid more than 20 pieces of stone engraved images and poems left by visitors. Tablets with images of Hui Ke, Damo with one show, poems about Hui Ke, inscriptions and an eulogy of Guanyin. |
 "The
Abbot's Room is the place where the aboot lives and executes his
daily affairs. It was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong
of the Qing Dynasty (1750). In September when Emperor Gao Zong
of the Qing Dynasty paid a visit to this room, he lodged in this
very room. That is way this room is also called 'Long Ting' (The
Dragon Hall). The bronze statue of Dhama enshrined inside is was
presented by monks from Japan's Shaolin Temple." |
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