西琳寺 Xilinsi (Xi=West) was built in 376, just less than a score years earlier than Donglinsi, the other temple we visited earlier in the day with the massive construction. In fact, Xilinsi and Donglinsi are the East and West Forest Temples founded by two monastic brothers. Xilingsi is well known as many famous writers visited Xilinsi and wrote poems about it. The most famous one is Sushi’s Tixilinbi.
MASTER JUCHAI (BIKKHUNI)
Master Juchai (Bikkhuni), a monastic from Taiwan came to the temple and found it completely dilapidated. She raised money to renovate and came to lead this temple in 1989 and renamed the temple from 西林寺 to 西琳寺. In 2002 during a previous pilgrimage, Master Juchai were raising young orphan girls in her temple. Due to China’s one child policy and outdated Chinese cultural preference of boys, baby girls were orphaned so that families can try for a boy.
Xilinsi means Western Forest Temple and is the “sister” temple to the Donglinsi, which means Eastern Forest Temple. These temples were founded by two “brother” monastics. It is striking to see the difference between the two. One is expanding, building massive halls, while the other appears frozen in time but also is a place of peaceful refuge.
Xiangdao, Lushan, Jiujiang, Jiangxi