Dharma ancestor cave

This cave was originally a natural cave. After the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism to Diqing, it is said that the Dharma patriarch became a Buddha by facing the cave wall for ten years. On the cave wall, he left the image of facing the cave wall and the holy mark of dunzuchengwa. Hence the name of this cave is Dharma patriarch cave.

Today's Dharma zushi cave was rebuilt after 1980 with funds from the people's governments of Shengzhou and county levels and donations from believers. In August 1984, the reconstruction of Laiyuan temple on the left side of zushi cave was completed, and the incense of Damo zushi cave flourished again. In the Sutra Hall of zushidong, there are statues of Sakyamuni, lianhuasheng, zongkaba, and the two patriarchs of Zhigong and gamagaju. Besides, there are also sacred relics of "dunzuchengwa" of Dharma patriarch, the relic pagoda of Dharma patriarch and the relic pagoda of Dharma patriarch's disciples.

Dharma ancestor cave

A long time ago, it was a Buddhist holy land with a continuous stream of pilgrims. Qizong village, Tacheng Township, Weixi County, is a village inhabited by Tibetans. Its environment can be described as beautiful mountains and rivers. The rural cottage is close to the mountain and river, and is hidden in the shade of all kinds of fruit trees. The mountain about 6km to the east of the village is called ahailuo mountain, which is also called Damo mountain because of Damo zushi cave. The mountain is lush with trees. There are huge cliffs on the top of the mountain. The Dharma patriarch cave is located on the cliffs. This cave was originally a natural cave. After the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism to Diqing, it is said that the Dharma patriarch became a Buddha by facing the cave wall for ten years. On the cave wall, he left the image of facing the cave wall and the holy mark of dunzuchengwa. Hence the name of this cave is Dharma patriarch cave. Around the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, people who believed in Buddhism built a number of Buddhist houses along the cliff based on stacked trees. The cave became a holy place for Buddhists to worship and practice.

Historical evolution

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Sutra hall and monk's house outside the cave of Dharma patriarch began to be built. The style of the hall is made of stacked wood along the cliff. It is said that the construction process lasted for 30 years, which shows its hardship and piety. This kind of building built on the cliff is amazing. From a distance, it looks like a kind of decoration hanging on the cliff, which is exquisite. Taking the Bodhidharma ancestral cave and the Sutra hall outside the cave as the center, Laiyuan temple and Bodhidharma temple at the foot of the mountain are just around it, forming a situation of tripartite confrontation and leaning against each other.

It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in history. People always regard it as a holy place for Buddhist worship. Pilgrims often turn around the mountain. The route starts at the entrance of the cave and goes around the top of the mountain. The distance is about 3 kilometers. Due to the long history of mountain turning activities, the path of mountain turning has been formed. It is said that the first day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar is the Buddha's day. At that time, the pilgrims from Shangri La, Deqin, Weixi and Lijiang gather and come here. They do not hesitate to travel long distances or even sleep in the open to complete the activities of turning mountains.

present situation

Today's Dharma zushi cave was rebuilt after 1980 with funds from provincial, state and county governments and donations from believers. In August 1984, the reconstruction of Laiyuan temple on the left side of zushi cave was completed, and the incense of Damo zushi cave flourished again. In the Sutra Hall of zushidong, there are statues of Sakyamuni, lianhuasheng, zongkaba, and the two patriarchs of Zhigong and gamagaju. Besides, there are also sacred relics of "dunzuchengwa" of Dharma patriarch, the relic pagoda of Dharma patriarch and the relic pagoda of Dharma patriarch's disciples.

architectural style

"The extreme eye cliff is ten thousand feet high, and the towering ancient temple meets the cloud night". There are five floors on the cave, and the temple in front of the cave stands out. Red walls, yellow tiles, resplendent, 3080 meters above sea level, the temple chiseled stone frame wood, stacked wood into a temple, the temple murals, sculpture lifelike, showing originality. An ancient temple in daoren mountain is very ethereal and elegant.

Related Legends

Dharma temple is different from other temples in the mainland. The temple has ingenious legends, a long history, and inscriptions of Bodhidharma. It is said that in those years, the Dharma Master traveled from India to China, traveled all over the country, and finally came here. When he saw that this place was very suitable for Buddhism, he went up the mountain and practiced in the cave facing the wall for ten years. He passed away here and became a Buddha. Up to now, the cave has also been printed with the image of the patriarch and the holy mark left by "DUNSHI chengwa". In the pagoda inside the cave, there are vessels, clothes, and crutches used by the ancestors. This cave is named as Dharma Master cave.

Address: West of Xiangbi mountain, 225 provincial road, Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Longitude: 99.488208

Latitude: 27.579811

Tel: 0887-8223786

Chinese PinYin : Da Mo Zu Shi Dong