Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
(This link will take you to the
Fantasy Core Index.)
Mount Tien Temple and Monastery
Silent, brooding power
Great heights overlooking all
My spirit is stilled
The Mount Tien Temple is the most famous temple in
the country. It is a destination spot
for religious pilgrims from around the Empire and even outside. There are hostels all around the base of the
mountain to service them, including the Hanging Temple.
Tibetan
and Mongol shamen also venerate the mountain.
Though they do not share the same faith, Mongols are still allowed to
visit and worship. Security is fairly
tight in the area, with Imperial troops permanently garrisoned along the roads
and around the mountain, further reinforced by the temple monks themselves.
Heaven is in sight
A thousand trials await me
Have courage my soul
Visitors are greeted and challenged by the Stairway to
Heaven entrance to the Monastery, 7,200 steps.
At the top of the stairs are the majestic Stone Sutras.
The temple itself is a large complex, though it follows the general pattern of all temples in the Empire and even the Imperial Palace (though on a much smaller scale).
There is a freestanding wall in front of the main gate
called the Feng Shui Wall, which keeps out ghosts. (Other temples, such as the Emerald Hill
Temple, have a pair of bridges to get to the gate, which accomplishes the
same goal.) The front gate is called The
Mountain Gate with the Bell and Drum towers just inside. High walls surround the complex. They are for defensive purposes as the temple
is filled with valuable artifacts inside.
A statue of the Laughing Deity of the Future greets entrants.
There is a main courtyard (where training and meditation
take place) with other main buildings surrounding it. There are five major halls, all decorated
with fine murals. The Hall of the
Heavenly Kings features four deity sculptures whose domains are Protection,
Wisdom, Perception, and Wealth. There is
the Grand Hall with the large, main statue of the Deity, and the Immortals
Hall, to honor those deified who still walk the earth to help others to
achieve immortality. There is the Sutra
Depository with books, scrolls, and scriptures. The are many rare and ancient texts here,
which may be accessed for a donation.
Finally, there are Refectories (dining halls) and the Monk’s dormitories. At the rear of the complex is the Temple
Guardian statue, placed so it can watch over the temple.
The life of a monk is one of constant training, study, and
meditation. It is rumored that some of
the monks know a Special Technique called The Dragon, which supposedly was
handed down from the little seen Mount Tien guardian dragon himself, Gemma. (AC 20 for ½ level rds, must rest 1 turn
after using the power.)
High above the clouds
There the whole earth below me
Humility foundThen, prayers should be whispered and confidence must be sure, as adherents make their way along the Sky Road that snakes around the peak.
Finally, the petitioner is rewarded by the accomplishment and the view from the top. The small open pagoda there is called Heaven’s Gate.
Reportedly, the Floating Bridge to Heaven appears here and can take worthy travelers to the Palace of the Queen Mother of the West and other ethereal destinations. The Bridge takes the form of a rainbow, so a storm will be necessary for it to appear.
No comments:
Post a Comment