Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Geography

Description of the Temple of the South Sea God

The Temple of the South Sea God is located twenty liA traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately 500 meters or one-third of a mile. south of the Guangzhou provincial capital at the mouth of the sea. The temple halls and pavilions are grand and magnificent. A stone stele with an inscription by Han Changli original: 韓昌黎. Also known as Han Yu (768–824), a famous Tang Dynasty poet and official whose "Inscription for the Temple of the South Sea God" is a landmark of classical prose. is preserved there.

There is a very high peak upon which sits a pavilion called "Sun Bathing" original: 浴日 (Yuri). So named because it offered a spectacular view of the sun rising out of the ocean.. From this vantage point, one looks out upon the vast, boundless ocean. In the distance, Mount Ya original: 崖山 (Yashan). The site of a famous historical naval battle. appears like a patch of floating foam. Within the shimmering light of the sky, one can spot dark specks the size of small beans; as they ride the wind and approach the temple's base, they reveal themselves to be massive ships of ten thousand huA traditional unit of dry measure; "ten thousand hu" was a common literary way to describe a ship of enormous cargo capacity..

Outside the central gate stands a statue of Bodhidharma original: 達磨 (Damo). The Indian monk who founded Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China. that is exceptionally imposing. His clothing and headgear are all fashioned according to the regulations of the Tang Dynasty. In the courtyard, there is a tree with a verdant trunk and lush leaves whose species is unknown. Local tradition holds that Bodhidharma himself brought it from the Western Regions A historical term referring to Central Asia or the Indian subcontinent..

Within the temple are several bronze drums belonging to Ma Yuan 14 BC – 49 AD. A celebrated Han Dynasty general known as the "General who Calms the Waves." Bronze drums are frequently found in Southern China and associated with his military campaigns.. The largest of these has a diameter of four or five feet, while the smaller ones are two feet across.