CHINESE ARCHITECTURE—BOERSCHMANN. 561 
bedded in the midst of a wilderness of rocky cliffs with dense sacred 
groves, what precious hours are passed there far from the tumult of 
the world! as is inscribed in the words: 
The waters rush around, 
The mountains form a wreath, 
The holy here wish to while. 
The moon shines clear, 
The wind blows pure, 
The wise here meditate. 
The priests, who see deeply into the soul of nature, have naturally 
selected not only the most beautiful sites for the temples but have 
furnished them internaily in a manner that is only comparable with 
the European monasteries of the Middle Ages. - 
For several days I dwelt in the temple Miao-t’ai-sze, a most charm- 
ing residence in the Tsin ling shan, the remarkable mountains of 
south Shensi, many days’ journey remote from any great city (pl. 7, 
fig. 2). The guest house that was placed at my sole disposal is con- 
nected with a temple built in honor of Changliang, the great Chan- 
cellor of the first Emperor of the Han dynasty, 200 B. C. He is still 
remembered and to this day regarded as the protecting spirit of this 
region, where he was born and whither in his old age he returned. 
The place is surrounded by mountains that tower above the valley 
covered with forests inclosing a grove of bamboo, cypress, and pine, 
where one feels most impressively the charm of solitude. The poems 
inscribed in this temple should be read on the spot: 
The moon lightens the pure pines, 
Where the precious dragon floats and plays. 
The wind carries incense up the mountain, 
Where holy spirits joyfully return. 
And further: 
Here vulgar noises are not heard. 
Here dwell a few days, and the place 
Becomes your sacred home. 
Similar scenes abound over all China. Ancient temples with bean- 
tiful pagodas are found in the woods or amidst the mountains. The 
main halls of these temples contain images of Buddha’s disciples that 
are artistic and lifelike. 
Real rock temples play a large réle in China because of the pro- 
found religious association with the mountains. Mienshan, an iso- 
lated massive limestone mountain, rises majestically from the rolling 
landscape and is torn and broken with many ravines and caves. It is 
south of T’aiyiianfu in Shansi and is thickly covered with trees. In it 
the largest temple consists of about 30 buildings, all under overhang- 
ing cliffs. The great cave resembles the Cave of the Winds at 
38734°—sm 1911——36 
