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Monday June 12, 2017

TEMPLE TALES

A statue at Erzu Temple shows Huike offering a one-handed greeting. James Baquet

James Baquetjamesbaquet@gmail.com

BODHIDHARMA’S successor has no less dramatic a story than the First Patriarch himself.

Dazu Huike (The Great Ancestor who is Certainly Wise) had been a scholar of both Buddhist and Taoist writings until, around age 40, he met his Master. Some say he was already enlightened before the meeting, but the fi rst encounter did not go smoothly.

Bodhidharma was still in his cave above Shaolin Temple, concentrating on his nine-year discipline. Having

been refused, Huike demonstrated his sincerity by cutting off his arm and offering it to the Master. A modern statue at Erzu Temple in Anhui depicts the Second Patriarch with one hand raised as in half a greeting — like the sound of one hand clapping!

A number of exchanges between Master and student (who was later master to the Third Patriarch) have been recorded. In one, Huike begged Bodhidharma, “My mind is in turmoil. Please pacify it.” “Bring it to me,” Bodhidharma replied, “and I will.” But Huike replied, “I have searched and searched, but cannot fi nd it.” “There!”

Bodhidharma replied, “I have pacifi ed it!”

After receiving the robe and bowl from his Master (who, legend says, was later seen walking back to India, three years after his death and burial at Shaolin Temple), Huike spent most of his life in Yedu, Henan. But in one tumultuous period, he fl ed to remote Sikong Mountain, where he meditated in a cave. Modern Erzu Temple is now located at the foot of that mountain.

He died at age 105 or 106; one source says he was executed because other Buddhist teachers were jealous of his popularity.

The Second Patriarch

Hang gliding:Luofu Mountain, Huizhou

As one of the few gliding bases in Guangdong Province, Luofu Moun-tain is unique in that it has two takeoff sites with different wind directions. Tandem paragliding is available and the one-way fl ight lasts 21 minutes. As the breeze carries you high, you can get a picturesque view of the verdant mountain landscape.Price: 300/per person/per fl ightLocation: Luofu Mountain Scenic Spot, Huizhou 惠州罗浮山风景区内

go 'extreme'- extreme Sports

sites near SZ

SOMETIMES you may become so fed up with your mundane life that you don’t have the energy to go on with your work and life. When this happens, you need to fi nd something really exciting to get yourself “charged.” What’s the best way to do that? Go for extreme sports. Here are the best extreme sports sites near Shenzhen which offer you a fantastic chance to see parts of the coastline and landscape you can’t access through ordinary means.

Lufeng City, ShanweiThanks to its unique geographical conditions with rolling hills, plateaus, fl atlands and lowlands, Lufeng City has become an ideal spot for hang gliding lovers from Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to seek thrills. The two most popular spots are Shishan Mountain and Shuidi Mountain.

Shishan Mountain covers an area of over 1,000 acres and has an open and broad fl atland on the southeast side, making it a perfect landing spot for gliders.

Shuidi Mountain, a newly-opened spot for hang gliding in recent years, has an altitude difference of more than 630 meters. Its takeoff site boasts gentle moderate slopes, which makes it a good spot for beginners to practice all year round.Location: Lufeng City, Shanwei, Guangdong 广东汕尾陆丰市

Surfi ng and waterskiingDapeng Peninsula, Shenzhen

Dapeng Peninsula is on the far eastern side of Shenzhen. To the southwest of the peninsula is Dapeng Bay and to the northeast is Daya Bay. It borders Huizhou and is to the northeast of Hong Kong. With a land area of 294.18 square kilometers and a coastline of 133.22 kilometers, the peninsula is a great place to go surfi ng.Price: 168/per personLocation: Jinshui Bay, Dapeng Subdistrict, Shenzhen 深圳市龙岗区大鹏金水湾

Songshan Lake, DongguanWaterskiing is a dangerous yet

beautiful water sport which requires excellent physical and technical skills. Located by a series of small islands on the south side of Songshan Lake, Dongguan, the waterskiing spot boasts beautiful scenery along with a superb waterskiing experience.Location: Xincheng Road, Dongguan 东莞市市辖区新城路

(Yang Mei)

Luofu Mountain is one of the few gliding bases in Guangdong Province. File photos

Surfers at Dapeng Bay.Waterskiing is available at Songshan Lake in Dongguan.