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 internally 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 (pi. 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 beau- 

 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 role 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 



