brushwood, shrubs, and trees. Some of the finest bamboos of China flourish in
the ravines, and the sombre-coloured pine attains to a large size on the
acclivities.
A quaint account of the origin of the monastery was given by one of the head
priests:—
“Many hundred years ago a pious old man retired from the world, and came to
dwell in these mountains, giving himself up entirely to the performance of
religious duties. So earnest was he in his devotions that he neglected everything
relating to his temporal wants, even to his daily food. Providence, however,
would not suffer so good a man to starve. Some boys were sent in a miraculous
manner, who daily supplied him with food. In the course of time the fame of the
sage extended all over the adjacent country, and disciples flocked to him from all
quarters. A small range of temples was built, and thus commenced the extensive
buildings which now bear the name of ‘Tien-tung,’ or the ‘Temple of the
Heavenly Boys;’ Tien signifying heaven, and tung, a boy. At last the old man
died, but his disciples supplied his place. The fame of the temple spread far and
wide, and votaries came from the most distant parts of the empire—one of the
Chinese kings being amongst the number—to worship and leave their offerings
at its altars. Larger temples were built in front of the original ones, and these
again in their turn gave way to those spacious buildings which form the principal
part of the structure of the present day.”
Mr. Fortune remarks that a large number of Buddhist temples are scattered over
all this part of the country. Their architects have shown as keen a sympathy with
nature as the Cistercian founders in Europe, always building them in the most
lovely and picturesque situations, amongst the green hills, and in the shelter of
spreading woods—the leafy enclosures that in England indicate the presence of
an old manor house, or “ancestral hall.” Poo-to, or the Worshipping Island, as
foreigners call it, is one of the eastern islands in the Chusan Archipelago, and
seems to be one of the great Buddhist centres. The principal group of temples is
situated in a fine romantic glen, and from the high ground above it, seems like a
town of considerable size. As the traveller approaches nearer, he finds the view
of great interest. In front extends a large artificial pond, filled with the broad
green leaves and noble red and white flowers of the nelumbium speciosum,—a
plant in high favour with the Chinese. Access to the monastery is obtained by a
very ornamental bridge thrown across this piece of water.
The temples or halls containing the idols are extremely spacious; many of the