靈隱寺與飛來峰：西湖畔的千年佛國與濟公傳說

杭州西湖不僅以湖光山色聞名，更因周邊深厚的佛教文化而成為人文勝地。其中，靈隱寺與飛來峰堪稱西湖佛教文化的代表，千年香火不斷，傳說與歷史交織，吸引無數遊客與信徒前來朝聖。尤其與濟公活佛的深厚淵源，更讓這座古寺蒙上一層傳奇色彩。

靈隱寺是千年古剎，江南禪宗聖地。建於東晉咸和元年（326年），由印度高僧慧理所建，至今已有近1700年歷史，是中國佛教禪宗十大古剎之一。寺名「靈隱」，意為「仙靈所隱」，因慧理和尚見此處山巒秀麗，認為是神仙隱居之地，故在此建寺。

歷經多次興廢，尤其在五代吳越國時期，國王錢弘俶崇信佛教，大規模擴建寺院，使其成為江南佛教中心。現存建築多為清代重建，但寺內仍保留大量珍貴文物，如宋代釋迦牟尼佛像、元代十八羅漢像，以及歷代帝王、文人留下的碑刻題記。

寺內主要建築包括：

天王殿：供奉彌勒佛與四大天王，殿門懸掛康熙御筆「雲林禪寺」匾額（靈隱寺的別稱）。

大雄寶殿：核心建築，內有高達24.8米的釋迦牟尼佛像，莊嚴肅穆。

藥師殿、華嚴殿：分別供奉藥師佛與華嚴三聖，香火鼎盛。

五百羅漢堂：陳列五百尊羅漢像，形態各異，栩栩如生。

靈隱寺前的飛來峰是佛教石窟藝術寶庫，西湖周邊最獨特的自然與人文景觀。相傳此峰本是天竺（印度）靈鷲山的一角，被佛祖施展神通「飛來」此地，故得名「飛來峰」。

飛來峰最珍貴的是其佛教石窟造像，始鑿於五代，盛於宋元，現存340餘尊佛像，是中國南方規模最大的石窟群之一。其中最具代表性的是：

彌勒佛（布袋和尚）：宋代雕刻，笑容可掬，是飛來峰的標誌性造像。

盧舍那佛會浮雕：元代作品，線條流暢，展現精湛的雕刻技藝。

觀音像、羅漢像：散佈山間，與自然巖壁融為一體，意境深遠。

飛來峰不僅是佛教藝術的瑰寶，其山體本身也極具觀賞價值，奇石嶙峋，洞穴幽深，如龍泓洞、玉乳洞等，古人曾讚其「湖上風光數第一」。

靈隱寺最著名的傳奇人物，莫過於濟公（濟顛和尚）。濟公原名李修緣，南宋時期在靈隱寺出家，法號「道濟」。他看似瘋癲不羈，實則智慧超凡，常以嬉笑怒罵的方式點化世人，被後世尊為「活佛」。濟公在靈隱寺的傳說極多，最著名的包括：

「運木古井」：相傳靈隱寺重建時缺少木材，濟公施展神通，從井中拉出無數巨木，至今寺內仍保留「濟公運木古井」。

「點化秦檜」：民間傳說濟公曾預言秦檜的惡報，展現其洞察因果的能力。

「濟世救人」：他常以瘋癲形象遊走市井，治病救人，民間流傳「濟公活佛」的各種神蹟。

濟公的形象融合佛教慈悲與道家逍遙，成為中國民間最受喜愛的「人間活佛」。靈隱寺內設有濟公殿，供奉濟公像，香客常來此祈求消災解厄。

為何到靈隱寺可以「切斷孽緣」？

在民間信仰中，靈隱寺被視為化解業障、切斷孽緣的聖地，原因如下：

千年佛力加持：作為千年古剎，靈隱寺被認為具有強大的佛法能量，可淨化負面因果。

濟公的「破執」精神：濟公一生遊戲人間，破除執念，信徒認為在此參拜，可學習放下執著，斷絕不良因緣。

飛來峰的「鎮邪」傳說：相傳飛來峰是佛祖鎮壓妖邪之地，山上的佛像具有鎮煞之力，可化解孽緣糾纏。

禪宗「頓悟」思想：靈隱寺屬禪宗，強調「當下覺醒」，許多人來此參禪，尋求心靈解脫，自然放下過往糾葛。

許多香客會在大雄寶殿前誠心懺悔，或在濟公殿祈求指點迷津，希望藉由佛法的力量，斬斷惡緣，迎來新生。

靈隱寺與飛來峰，不僅是歷史與藝術的寶庫，更是中國佛教文化的精神象徵。濟公的傳說賦予它鮮活的靈魂，而千年不絕的香火，則見證人們對解脫與智慧的永恆追求。無論是尋求心靈平靜，還是想一睹江南佛國的風采，這座古剎都值得細細品味。

Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak: A Millennium-Old Buddhist Sanctuary by West Lake and the Legend of Ji Gong

Hangzhou's West Lake is renowned not only for its picturesque landscapes but also for its rich Buddhist heritage. Among its most iconic religious sites are Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, which together represent the essence of Buddhist culture in the West Lake area. With centuries of incense offerings and intertwined legends and history, they attract countless visitors and devotees each year. Especially notable is their deep association with Ji Gong, the “Living Buddha,” which lends this ancient temple an aura of mystique and folklore.

Lingyin Temple: A Thousand-Year-Old Zen Sanctuary in Jiangnan

Lingyin Temple is a time-honored Buddhist monastery and a sacred site of Zen Buddhism in southern China. Founded in 326 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty by an Indian monk named Huili, the temple boasts nearly 1,700 years of history and is one of the Ten Great Ancient Zen Temples in China. The name "Lingyin" means “the retreat of the immortals,” inspired by Huili’s belief that the serene mountains made it a fitting place for celestial beings to dwell.

The temple has undergone multiple cycles of destruction and reconstruction. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, King Qian Hongchu of the Wuyue Kingdom, a devout Buddhist, greatly expanded the temple, elevating it to a central hub of Buddhism in Jiangnan. Although most existing structures date back to the Qing Dynasty, the temple still preserves numerous precious relics, including:

• A Song Dynasty statue of Shakyamuni Buddha
• Yuan Dynasty statues of the Eighteen Arhats
• Stone inscriptions and calligraphy from emperors and literati across dynasties

Major halls within the temple include:

• Hall of Heavenly Kings: Houses statues of Maitreya and the Four Heavenly Kings, and features a plaque inscribed by Emperor Kangxi reading “Yunlin Chansi” (another name for Lingyin Temple).
• Mahavira Hall: The central structure, home to a 24.8-meter-tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, radiating solemnity and grandeur.
• Medicine Buddha Hall and Avatamsaka Hall: Devoted to the Medicine Buddha and Avatamsaka Trinity, these halls are popular pilgrimage spots.
• Hall of 500 Arhats: Features 500 vividly carved arhat statues, each with unique expressions and postures.

Feilai Peak: A Treasure Trove of Buddhist Stone Carvings

Situated in front of Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak is both a natural wonder and a repository of Buddhist stone carving art, making it one of the most unique cultural and natural landscapes near West Lake. According to legend, this peak was once part of Vulture Peak in India, and was miraculously transported to China by the Buddha—hence its name, which means "the Peak That Flew Here."

Feilai Peak is most famous for its stone carvings, which began in the Five Dynasties period and flourished during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Over 340 statues remain today, making it the largest Buddhist grotto site in southern China. Notable carvings include:

• Maitreya Buddha (the Laughing Monk): A Song Dynasty sculpture with a joyful expression, now an emblem of Feilai Peak.
• Relief of Vairocana Buddha Assembly: A Yuan Dynasty piece with flowing lines and refined craftsmanship.
• Guanyin and Arhat statues: Scattered across the mountain, these blend harmoniously with the natural rock formations, creating a profound spiritual ambiance.

Beyond its religious art, Feilai Peak is a geological marvel, with jagged rocks and mystical caves, such as Longhong Cave and Yuru Cave. Ancient poets once praised it as “the most splendid view by the lake.”

Ji Gong: Lingyin Temple’s Most Legendary Figure

The most renowned legendary figure associated with Lingyin Temple is Ji Gong, also known as Ji Dian. Born Li Xiuyuan, he was ordained at Lingyin Temple during the Southern Song Dynasty, taking the Dharma name Daoji. Though he appeared eccentric and unruly, he possessed extraordinary wisdom and often used humor and unconventional behavior to enlighten others. Revered as a “Living Buddha,” Ji Gong is central to many legends tied to the temple, including:

• “The Magic Well of Timber”: During a temple reconstruction, Ji Gong is said to have miraculously pulled giant logs from a well to provide needed materials. The “Ji Gong’s Well” still stands today.
• “Foretelling Qin Hui’s Doom”: Folklore tells of Ji Gong predicting the punishment of the infamous traitor Qin Hui, showcasing his insight into karmic consequences.
• “Saving the People”: Roaming the streets in his ragged robes, Ji Gong healed the sick and helped the needy, with countless stories of miracles earning him his enduring reputation.

Ji Gong embodies a blend of Buddhist compassion and Daoist freedom, becoming one of the most beloved spiritual figures in Chinese folk culture. Within Lingyin Temple, there is a hall dedicated to Ji Gong, where pilgrims pray for protection and guidance.

Why is Lingyin Temple Believed to “Cut Off Karmic Ties”?

In popular belief, Lingyin Temple is regarded as a powerful place to resolve karmic burdens and sever entangled fates, for several reasons:

• Spiritual Power of a Thousand Years: As an ancient temple with centuries of devotion, Lingyin is believed to be infused with profound Buddhist energy that can purify negative karma.
• Ji Gong’s Spirit of Breaking Attachments: Ji Gong’s life exemplifies detachment and freedom. Followers believe that worshipping here can help them learn to let go and end harmful relationships.
• Feilai Peak’s Protective Lore: According to legend, Feilai Peak suppresses evil spirits, and the Buddha statues atop it are believed to possess powers that dispel misfortune and sever toxic ties.
• Zen Buddhism’s Focus on Sudden Enlightenment: As a Zen monastery, Lingyin Temple emphasizes awakening in the present moment. Many visitors come here to meditate and seek inner liberation, naturally releasing emotional entanglements.

Many devotees sincerely repent in the Mahavira Hall or pray for guidance in the Ji Gong Hall, hoping that through the power of Buddhist teachings, they can cut off ill-fated relationships and embrace a new beginning.

Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak are not only repositories of history and art but also spiritual symbols of Chinese Buddhist culture. The legend of Ji Gong breathes life into this sacred place, while its unbroken incense offerings over a millennium testify to humanity’s eternal quest for liberation and wisdom. Whether you seek inner peace or wish to experience the charm of a Buddhist haven in Jiangnan, this ancient temple is truly worth a profound visit.