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Trees of Shaolin Temple

I’m very interested in the trees of Shaolin Temple because these trees have their own histories, stories and anecdotes, some even indicate the status grade.
I’m first impressed by the campsis grandiflora winded cypresses on the east side of Buddhist abbot’s room, also called euonymus winded cypress, ilex winded cypress or rattan winded cypress. It’s quite unique to see two trees of different species grow mutually and interdependently. You can see it in Shaolin Temple. Trees of this kind are quite common in Shaolin Scenic Spot. You can see it at the Standing in Snow Pavilion, the Secondary Buddhist Convent and the Primary Buddhist Convent.Ihave read some travel books of Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty recently and found the records of these trees. “Journal of lodgement in Nuanquan Temple and Tour of Shaolin Temple of Songshan Mountain”written by Wang Shimao mentioned the tour of Primary Buddhist Convent: in front of the convent yard was four skyscraping cypresses, three of them were winded by rattans which were called “three-flower trees of Shaoshi Mountain”. “Songshan Mountain Travels”written by Wang Shixing also mentioned “in front of the convent yard was the three-flower tree, the flowers of the attached campsis grandiflora rattan were in full blossom with lovely color of dark red. the three-flower tree had been there before Bodhidharma arrived.”all these records provide precious historical evidence of campsis grandiflora winded cypress. To my excitement, these records also solve another doubt of mine. When I read poems of Li Bai “campsis cypress at two convents, three-flower with purple vapor”and Li Qi “we can see three-flower spring on remote isolated peak top.”I know little about three-flower, now I know its origin. I depreciate the legend that the tree is the evidence of unswervingly loyal love of a monk and a secular girl. But the unique three-flower tree gives me much thought. Shaolin is famous for its martial arts, it’s similar to the pattern of the three-flower tree. It also shows the vitality and connotation of Shaolin.
The cypresses in front of the Buddhist abbot’s room and Standing in Snow Pavilion with unique shapes also attract me. They branch out form the root and present a splendid sight. I only see this kind of cypress in Shaolin Temple. In former times I called it “multi-head cypress”, now I think “thousand-head cypress”is more suitable. I’m puzzled why it grows this way and why it grows in Shaolin Temple. With more understanding on Shaolin, I know the reason. After the Bodhidharma came to Shaolin, Zen Buddhism began to root, flower and fruit in China. After a long time of development, Zen Buddhism becomes the distinct characteristic of Chinese Buddhism. Standing in Snow Pavilion, formerly called Bodhidharma Pavilion, is the foundation of Zen Buddhism legacy. The thousand-head cypress grows here with the miraculous brightness of Buddha. Zen Buddhism is carried forward in China. The thousand-head cypress can be a proof. Shaolin Temple has many branches; Fu Yu established five Shaolin temples. The Shaolin temples in Quanzhou, Putian, Fuqing of Fujian Province are also famous. Shaolin Temple in Songshan Mountain and Luoyang area has many subordinate organizations. Dengfeng has 18 such organizations. The thousand-head cypress in front of the Buddhist abbot’s room is the clear evidence of historical influence of Shaolin Temple. It not only glorifies the Zen Buddhism, but also enlightens the current world. Cultural diversification corresponds to world trend. The thousand-head cypress makes the Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Temple varied and colorful and provides intellectual impetus to harmonious society construction.
The pagoda tree is provided with cultural taste. This not only refers to its status of “five-grade officialdom” , but also its relations with scholars and men of letters which gives it space in literature and history books. The three pagoda trees, one is withered, the other two with luxuriant foliage on the west side of the Depositary of Buddhist Texts are the offspring of pagoda trees in Qin Dynasty. According to the legend, King Zhuangxiang of Qin visited the Songshan Mountain, when he came to Five-breast peak, he saw some rocks and sat for a rest. He dreamed of touring the mountain with his mother. He got surprised after he woke up. He said “I had not dreamed of her after her death, today is blessing of God.”so he planted a pagoda tree which was awarded as “five-grade officialdom”by Emperor Hanwu. Wen Yanbo in Songshan Dynasty wrote a poem about the pagoda tree with “five-grade officialdom”. Du Mu of Yuan Dynasty also wrote about this pagoda tree in his travel books. Unfortunately the offspring of the pagoda tree lost its high and noble elegance. The pagoda tree of Qin grows generation by generation and thrives vitality as the continuous development of Buddhism culture. That’s a much-told tale of the Shaolin Temple.
The maidenhair tree is another scenery of Shaolin Temple. When you enter the mountain gate, some large maidenhair trees come into your eyes. The large crowns look like huge umbrellas and they can shelter you from sunlight and rain and shield the ancient temple. Listening to anecdotes as“Husband and Wife Tree”and “Bachelor Tree”, you cann’t help laughing and take photos under the tree to pray for luck and happiness. In late autumn, the leaves of maidenhair trees turn yellow, like pieces of yellow clouds, and dress up the Shaolin Temple. Tourists under the trees may be enlightened and feel cozy. The maidenhair tree, also called a living fossil of plants, is the relic plant of quaternary glacial period. It was widely planted in temples of Songshan Mountain, especially in the Shaolin Temple. Maidenhair trees add the Zen significance to the Shaolin Temple and their effectiveness on health promotion help people cultivate their original nature and advancement.
The cypress on the east side of the pagoda forest has juniper leaves on its side branch, that’s amazing. The crape myrtle tree called “Itching Tree”on the southwest side of Buddhist abbot’s room may nod to give its regards when you gently touch it. That’s interesting. The Eugenia jambolana at the back of Kuoran Hall, has seven leaves on one leave stem to awaken the intelligence of people. In those years, it was under this tree, the Buddha began to ponder the worldly suffering and the life meaning.
There’re many trees in Shaolin Temple as its Buddhist texts to bear the wisdom of Buddhism. They also like the history records to record the great changes of the temple. They still stand erect between the earth and the heaven and become the symbol of integrity though they experienced countless wind and rain, forest and snow. The Shaolin Temple was ruined by fire several times but these trees still breed in an endless succession and become the sign of vigorous vitality. Communicate with these trees, we can learn many things and understand many life truths.