Ciyun Si
Ciyun Si (Benevolence Cloud Temple 慈云寺) stands picturesquely on Shizi Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, where the Jialing River empties into it, and opposite Chaotian Gate across the river. Its predecessor was the tiny Guanyin Temple established during the Tang Dynasty. It was rebuilt in 1757 (22nd year of the Qianlong reign, Qing Dynasty). A major expansion project undertaken in 1927 transformed it into a large monastery that was given its present name. The expansion project was done to accommodate pilgrims who came and went by way of the harbor at the foot of the mountain on which the temple stood.
All the buildings of the Ciyun Temple are found on the mountain. Access to the Mahavira Hall behind the gate hall is by several flights of stone steps. Chinese tradition is blended with Western influence in the architectural style of this temple. Glazed-tile roofs with upturning eaves mingle with multi-floored chambers and terraces to form an awesome landmark that is set off nicely by the tumbling rivers. The artificial mountain behind the temple is built of numerous rocks of exotic shapes and images, and landscaped, through the clever hands of the builders, with a series of fixtures. These include the Viewing-the-River Pavilion, the Moon Pavilion, the Golden Fish Pond, the Lotus Pool, and something that belongs only to the lore of Buddhism – an imitation of the pond in which nine dragons spat water to bathe the newborn baby who is to become Prince Siddhartha – as well as the Pond of Eight Merits.
