火山碧雲寺簡介

An Introduction to Huoshan Biyun Temple

碧雲寺位於關仔嶺半山腰，坐東向西，背倚秀麗的枕頭山，面迎廣闊的嘉南平原，附近林木茂盛；四周碧綠青翠，雲煙縹緲，「水火同源」與本寺同屬一脈源，地下蘊涵豐富之天然氣，故名「火山碧雲寺」。本寺在宗教的莊嚴氣氛中，並兼具賞心悅目的詩情畫意，是全台一處得天獨厚的靈山勝境，更是修行者參禪悟道的好地方。

Biyun Temple is located halfway up Guanziling and sits east to west. Behind it rises the peak of Pillow Mountain. Ahead the Chianan Plain stretches out into the distance. The temple is surround by lush, green vegetation and at times is cloaked by beguiling mists.

清康熙四十年（ 一七○一），第一代開山祖師釋應祥(俗家姓李)，由福建省泉州府名剎開元寺奉請一尊觀音佛祖渡海來台，從竹仔港（今高雄縣永安鄉）登陸上岸，隨後寄居於阿公店（今高雄縣岡山鎮），數月後，為了尋找更適合參禪悟道的環境，再奉迎觀音佛祖遍遊南部各大叢林，最後於枕頭山下（今台南縣白河鎮仙草埔）暫且落腳。

Biyun Temple sits on same mountain vein that feeds the nearby Fire and Water Grotto. Underneath, abundant natural gas deposits can be found, hence the name Huoshan (volcano) Biyun Temple. The temple exudes a solemn religious atmosphere; however, its buildings and grounds are also pleasing to the eye and poetically picturesque. Biyun Temple is one of Taiwan’s most spiritual locations, a place for religious adherents to participate in meditation in the search for enlightenment.

時光荏冉，歲月如梭，如此過了數年，由於應祥師通徹孔孟之學及勘輿之術，發現於枕頭山南麓半山腰有一處「半壁吊燈火」之靈穴更適合靈修參禪；應祥師遂獨自帶著觀音佛祖上山，披荊斬棘，草建茅堂，現今正殿是處「鳳穴」，後山南北兩側山脈是為鳳翅；「半壁吊燈火」靈穴即今三寶殿前香爐位置，兩穴互為文集；相互共構營造成三百餘年之靈山古剎。由於碧雲寺財力拮据歷經嘉慶、咸豐及光緒等年間次第興建完成，本寺右側豎立一塊嘉慶十六年（ 一八一一 ） 的「玉枕火山碧雲寺募為緣業碑記」，以資佐證，碑記內容大意如下：碧雲寺為嘉邑名勝，觀音大士英靈遠庇早已膾炙人口，然而寺無緣業，僧家難為無米之炊。嘉慶十六年，張士輝等二十善信，計鳩銀三百二十六圓，買糞箕湖山腳墾田，大武龍派社番目荒埔園，永為寺中香煙，以迓神庥。

In the 40^th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1701), the temple’s founder, Master Ying-xiang brought a Guanyin Bodhisattva statue to Taiwan from the famous Kaiyuan Temple in Fujian’s Quanzhou Prefecture. He arrived in Zhuzigang (today’s Yongan District in Kaohsiung City) before residing in Ahgongdian (today’s Gangshan District in Kaohsiung City). After a period of time, looking for a more suitable location for meditation, Master Ying-xiang carried the statue south, deep into the wilds, before deciding on a resting place at the foot of Pillow Mountain (today’s Siancao Village in Baihe District, Tainan City).

Months later, thanks to his study of works of Confucius and Mencius and his skill in the art of fengshui (geomancy), Master Ying-xiang discovered a point halfway up the southern foot of the Pillow Mountain that had the markings of a place suitable for spiritual practice. Master Ying-xiang braved the dense vegetation to carry the Guanyin statue up the mountain. At the location, he built a thatched hut in which to house the statue. Today the central incense burner of the Tree Treasures Hall stands at this exact spot.

Master Ying-xiang discovered other auspicious locations, including a “phoenix point” lying in-between the northern and southern ranges of the nearby mountains which formed attendant “phoenix wings.” Today, the temple’s main hall is located on top of this phoenix point. Prior to the construction of the Three Treasures Hall and the main hall, scholars gathered to study at the phoenix point and next to the Guanyin statue in its thatched hut.

Due to financial constraints, construction of the temple extended through the reigns of Emperor Jiaqing, Emperor Xianfeng, and Emperor Guangxu. On the right side of the temple a stele was erected in the 16^th year of Emperor Jiaqing (1811) titled: A Record of Donations to Huoshan Biyun Temple on Pillow Mountain. Listing a record of financial assistance to the temple, the stele states:

Biyun Temple is a famous temple of the city of Chiayi. Its statue of Guanyin is known far and wide. However the temple was poor and its monks unable to add to its facilities. In the 16^th year of Emperor Jiaqing, Zhang Shi-hui and 20 other believers gathered 326 silver taels to purchase the area of Fenqi Lake at the foot of Pillow Mountain, land that once belonged to the Tevorang. Here the believers constructed a temple to invite the eternal protection and blessing of the gods.

碧雲寺於民國八十六年(一九九七)，由內政部評定為三級古蹟。民國八十九年(二○○○)縣政府研擬修護碧雲寺計畫。碧雲寺之觀音殿、山門、寺埕列為古蹟範圍於民國九十年(二○○一)五月動工整修，於民國九十四年(二○○五)一月整修完竣。

In 1997, the Ministry of the Interior declared Biyun Temple as a Class 3 Historic Site. In 2000, the county government formulated a plan to repair major parts of the temple. Work started on the temple’s Guanyin Hall, Mountain Gate, and courtyard—all listed as historic sites—in May of 2001 before finishing in January of 2005.

出米洞

碧雲寺膾炙人口的傳奇故事屬「出米洞」。出米洞就在山門南側外面，兩塊

岩石夾縫下一個小洞，相傳從前出米洞會自動漏出米來，恰巧足夠寺中使用，後來有位貪心僧人偷挖了一整晚並米佔為已有，從此出米洞不再出米了，這則故事啟示我們，做人不可太貪心。

Rice Gushing Hole

One of the most popular legends of Biyun Temple is the famous “rice-gushing hole.” The hole is located on the southern side of the Mountain Gate’s outer wall. Among the wall’s stones, a small crevasse can be seen. Legend has it that just enough rice for the temple’s inhabitants to eat would gush out of the hole every day. One night, a greedy monk dug into the hole and took the rice as his own. After that, the hole never produced rice again. The story is a reminder for all not to be greedy in life.

晚霞夕陽

碧雲寺做東朝西，背山面野，從寺前遠眺是一望無際的嘉南平原，極目西方則是波濤萬頃的大海，居高臨下，是欣賞夕陽的絕佳妙境，向晚時分火紅夕陽映照在海平面，反射出燦爛的波光，此時海天橙紅一片，溫暖了一顆顆赤子心。於夜間共可觀萬家燈火之美景。

Sunset Views

Biyun Temple sits east to west. At its rear lies Pillow Mountain upon which the temple sits. To the front, unobstructed views of the Chianan Plain below can be had. Far to the west, the waters of the Taiwan Strait can be seen. Due to its elevation, the temple is an excellent place to enjoy sunset views. During sunset, the sun shines onto the far-away waters, reflecting off the waves as it bathes the entire landscape in a brilliant red glow. It’s a sight that nurtures the soul and warms the heart. At night, the same location affords visitors the sight of thousands of lights glimmering in the city below.

三寶殿

三寶殿是純佛教為北方式建築，起建於民國五十九年，至六十四年竣工，總工程耗資壹仟餘萬元，不僅為碧雲寺增天壯麗，更為關子嶺觀光事業邁進一大步。

Three Treasures Hall

The Three Treasures Hall is a Buddhist hall built in the northern architectural style of China. Construction started in 1970 and was completed in 1975 at a cost of $10 million NTD. The Hall adds to the overall grandeur of the temple complex and has become a top tourist draw for Guanziling.

清虛宮

清虛宮俗稱天公廟，為南式的廟宇建築。咸豐元年(一八五一)嘉義縣營參府洪志高深感佛恩，自捐一仟圓，再由一般信徒募得壹仟圓，共集資兩仟圓重建碧雲寺，並在現今地藏王寶殿之址建築天公壇。民國三十九年(一九五○)，陳澄沂等眾主事與住持霖淨法師等僧眾、信徒同心協力，將原本岩下的天公壇改建至現址，民國四十三年竣工，總工程費六十餘萬，廟名曰「清虛宮」。

Qingxu Shrine

Qingxu Shrine was originally known as Tiangong Temple and is built in the southern architectural style of China. During the first year of the reign of Emperor Xianfeng (1851), Chiayi County Military Camp Commander Hong Zhi-gao, moved by the compassion of the Buddha, donated 1000 taels, with another 1000 taels being raised by other believers. These 2000 taels were donated to Biyun Temple which built Tiangong Temple. Today, at the original location of the Tiangong Temple, stands a shrine to Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. In 1950, temple officers including Chen Cheng-yi and the temple’s abbot, Master Lin Jing, with the help of the temple’s supporters, moved Tiangong Temple piece by piece. The relocation was finished in 1954 at a cost of over $60,000 NTD. After its relocation, the temple was renamed Qingxu Shrine.

蓮花寶地

位於正殿後方三寶殿之前，依傍石壁雕塑十八羅漢，石壁前面砌建蓮花池，池中塑造一尊高聳的觀音菩薩，兩旁建造涼亭供人休憩，為修行之寶地並提供許願之勝景，將信仰與觀光合為一體更貼近人的心靈。

Jeweled Lotus Courtyard

This courtyard is located behind the temple’s main hall and in front of the Tree Treasures Hall. Dominating the courtyard is a long stone wall in which 18 arhats have been embedded. In front of the wall is a lotus pool in which stands a towering statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva. To the left and right of the pool are shaded pavilions for visitors. This place of religious succor offers opportunities for prayer, as well as spectacular views. Whether one’s reason for visiting is spiritual or touristic in nature, a visit to the courtyard is a moving experience all the same.

登山步道

碧雲寺後山環境幽雅，三寶殿南側寺方開闢一條登山步道，可達枕頭山古稱「玉案山」，又名「玉枕山」，遊客依步道上行走在林間身心舒暢，在枕頭山上觀賞山巒上林木蒼翠盛之美景，讓心胸舒暢。

Pillow Mountain Hiking Trail

Behind Biyun Temple, the hillside offers visitors a large stretch of elegant scenery. On the south side of the Three Treasures Hall begins a trail from which visitors can hike up Pillow Mountain (also called Yu-an Mountain or Jade Mountain). The trail takes visitors through a relaxing forest terrain and, at the mountain’s peak, visitors can enjoy the sight of verdant forests stretching far below.

水火同源

又名「水火洞」，在碧雲寺東南方一公里處，循登山步道亦可到達，水火同蔚為奇觀，到碧雲寺參拜定循路參訪水火同濟之美景。

Fire and Water Spring

Also called Fire and Water Grotto, this popular tourist site is located 1km east of Biyun Temple and can be reached by following marked trails. Visitors marvel at the geological miracle of water and fire appearing in the same location, making it a must-see destination for any visitor to Biyun Temple. 

蓮花石

寺前崖下現今「碧雲公園」之地有兩塊巨大岩石，東邊一塊是「蓮花石」，西邊是「學地」。蓮花石是塊裂開的大岩石，裂縫中原本有形似含苞待放的石蓮花倒掛於洞壁上，今已無。「蓮花石」和「學地」頂長滿了百年古榕，根密密麻麻緊緊攀盤巨石。

Lotus Rock

Farther down the mountain, visitors will find Biyun Park and park’s two famous large boulders. The eastern-most boulder is called Lotus Rock, while the one to the west is known as Place of Study. Lotus Rock is distinguishable from its brother by a large crevasse at its center. In the past, the crevasse was home to a stone lotus always on the verge of blooming. Today the plant is gone. On top of the boulders are centuries-old Banyan trees whose maze of roots are slowly engulfing the boulders.

學地

相傳清朝儒生林啟邦等八人及一位書僮，仰慕應祥禪師德學前來拜師，擇此大岩石頂結廬苦讀，嘉慶十一年（一八○六），林啟邦等學成下山往福州赴考省試，結果連書僮共九人悉數登科，故後人稱此大岩石為「學地」，俗稱「學仔地」。

Place of Study

According to legend, in admiration of Zen Master Ying-xiang’s moral ethics, Qing Dynasty Confucian scholar Lin Qi-bang, along with eight other scholars and a young assistant, visited to the Zen master. They built a thatched hut on top this large boulder and there they assiduously studied under Master Ying-xiang. In the 11^th year of Emperor Jiaqing (1806), Lin Qi-bang and the others descend the mountain to return to Fuzhou to take the provincial level state exam. All of them, including the young assistant, passed the difficult examination. Therefore, in years following, the boulder became known as Place of Study or, more colloquially, School Boy Rock.

碧雲公園
於碧雲寺之下方，循木棧道可抵達碧雲公園，園內有觀音菩薩聳立於蓮花池之美景，涼亭、步道可提遊客修憩的好地方。

Biyun Park

Following a wooden boardwalk down from Biyun Temple, visitors will come to Biyun Park. In the park stands a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva in a lotus pond. Scattered throughout the park are also shaded pavilions and trails for the visitor to enjoy, making it an excellent place to relax.