We were speechless all the way. We arrived in Jiangsu Province in a blink of an eye. After changing buses several times, the three of us finally arrived at the legendary Jintan County. What we were going to was the Maoshan Ancestral Court. In fact, the so-called Maoshan was not the real meaning.
The mountain we climbed can only be regarded as a relatively high hilly area. This mountain range is between Jintan County and Jurong County. It can also be regarded as the most emotional place for me after the 800-mile Wudang.
The mountains are naturally beautiful with green peaks. Many of the renovated buildings are also very graceful. I have never been here, so I basically followed Lei Zhengui, and I was still far away from the main peak of Maoshan.
Lei Zhen returned home and took us out of the car.
In fact, the current Maoshan Ancestral Court is different from what we imagined. The former Taoist powerhouse has now almost become a complete tourist area. Compared with Shaolin in northern Henan, where the smell of copper is getting stronger and stronger,
It's not much inferior, which makes me a little disgusted. I always feel that a place of pure cultivation, like Cuizhu Temple, which is far away from the hustle and bustle, is the best.
Of course, these are all personal opinions. Maybe some people think that this is better.
"Where are we going?" After sorting out my thoughts, I asked Guigui, who was looking around, to ask my junior uncle.
"Jiuxiao Wanfu Palace." The other party said without looking back.
Jiuxiao Wanfu Palace is actually a large Taoist temple on the main peak of Maoshan Mountain. This Taoist temple was founded in the Western Han Dynasty. According to legend, it was one of the blessed places left by Zhenjun Sanmao after he attained enlightenment and ascended to heaven.
When I came here, there was always a recording playing on the bus that was used for private work. It was said that Maoshan Jiuxiao Wanfu Palace was completed after two major renovations.
The first time was during the Yuan Dynasty, when the rulers spent money to build many Taoist temples specifically to worship one of the founders of Sanmao, Damao Zhenjun Mao Ying.
Later, in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Wanli respected Taoism and specially approved some money to build a palace. The name Jiuxiao Wanfu Palace was given by him. In general, Jiuxiao Palace faces south and is symmetrical from east to west. The entire building
, taking advantage of the mountain, the structure is rigorous and the layout is reasonable, from south to north, layer by layer, it has the style of a royal project, but now, the Jiuxiao Wanfu Palace in Damao Peak is no longer what it was originally.
The introduction on the house plate said that today, this place is still the center of Maoshan Taoism, and is also the seat of the Jiangsu Taoist Association, Zhenjiang Taoist Association, and Maoshan Taoist Association.
As soon as I entered, I found that there were many Taoist priests inside and the incense was very popular. Judging from the clothes and appearance of the people inside, it was no different from the reception at the tourist attractions. Generally speaking, there should be few people here who are really capable.
people.
The appearance of Lei Zhengui made several Taoist priests in charge very happy. When those people saw him, they all looked rude, obviously they respected this guy very much.
Lei Zhengui didn't say anything. After returning the gifts one by one, he took Guigui and I to the main hall to offer incense to the ancestors.
When Maoshan disciples worship their ancestors, there are several levels of etiquette, some are very simple, some are relatively complicated. It is a rare occasion like ours, so naturally we have to complete the ceremony. In general, except for bathing
I also did all the items except changing clothes and taboos for a few days.
When those who came to offer incense and fulfill their wishes saw them, they all looked curious, and those who had good intentions whispered to each other. We didn't hear what they said specifically, and we didn't care.
"Uncle Lei, Grand Master is still in retreat. Do you want to go see him now?" Unknowingly, a little Taoist boy ran in, holding Fu Chen in his hand and standing with his hands down.
"Are the others here?" Lei Zhengui turned to ask him as he stood up and patted the dust on his body.
"The second uncle is back. The others are still on the way. Should I lead you to see him?" After a moment of hesitation, the little Taoist boy said.
"Forget it. If no one asks about my return, don't mention it. I will go down the mountain to stay tonight and come back tomorrow."
Lei Zhengui said, nodding to the Taoist boy, and immediately picked up the untied iron tablet and put it on his back again. I didn't pay close attention to how heavy the iron tablet was, but look at it.
Although I was very careful when I untied it and placed it on the ground, the ground still shook violently to judge that this iron stele cannot be hollow. I estimate that such a big thing weighs at least two to three hundred kilograms.
Judging from the weight, Lei Zhengui is not strong, he looks like a weak scholar in a costume drama. I really don’t know how this guy got such strength and can exert it freely.
Just as I was thinking about it, the little Taoist boy glanced at me. Originally, he didn't pay much attention to it. However, the moment our eyes met, the kid was obviously stunned for a moment. Then, the kid hurriedly bowed and saluted.
I didn't understand why he was like this, but out of politeness, I quickly returned the courtesy and followed Lei Zhengui down the mountain.
I have never been here before. Lei Zhengui kept wanting to go down, so he asked the other party if he could walk around before leaving. After hearing this, Lei Zhengui was slightly startled and turned to look at Gui Gui. Gui Gui also had a look on his face.
Looking at him expectantly, it was obvious that this little girl, like me, was still fascinated by the scenery of "the first blessed land of Taoism".
"You want to look around here? Well, I won't accompany you. Walk in this direction, there is a small village, and there is a small farmhouse restaurant at the entrance of the village. I will wait for you there and ask to find me.
They will know where you are going." The other party said, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "At this time, the mountain is not peaceful, so try not to show your ability."
"Is it dangerous?" Seeing that he looked a little unnatural, I frowned.
"That's not the case. Anyway, be careful, that's right." Lei Zhengui said, gesturing to me, and then walked down the mountain on his own, and soon disappeared in Lailai.
among the frequent tourists.
After hearing these words, I always felt weird. I turned around to look at Gui Gui. Gui Gui also looked at me blankly. After thinking for a while, I couldn't figure it out. The two of them stopped entangled in this matter too much.
Hand in hand, we walked through the left and right halls of the front and back halls, looking at the surrounding scenery while listening to the introductions of various tour guides.
While walking around, I discovered two very interesting phenomena.
The first one is the people here.
Among the tourists coming and going, not all are laymen who come to have fun, there are also some Taoist priests in strange clothes.
It is not accurate to say that they are Taoist priests. In my opinion, these people should be regarded as magicians. Although they all come to pay homage to the ancestors, in general, some of them have a bit of Taoism in them.