In 1734, during the 12th year of the Yongzheng Emperor’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, a remarkable story unfolded at Yongquan Temple on Gushan. It is a tale of a teenage abbot, an empty granary, and a miracle that temple tradition says gave rise to the monastery’s unusual seated image of Weituo, the guardian deity who protects Buddhist temples.

A 16-year-old abbot faces a crisis

At the time, the elderly abbot of Yongquan Temple, Master Yuanyu, had been called away to assist in compiling the Buddhist canon. Unable to manage the monastery himself, he recommended his youngest disciple, Fa Yin, to take his place as abbot.

It was a startling choice. Fa Yin, whose secular name was Li Xiangxian, was only 16 years old.

He had entered monastic life as a child and was known for his intelligence, discipline, and dedication to Buddhist study. But Yongquan Temple was no small monastery. With several hundred monks in residence, it was a major religious institution, and many senior monks were uneasy about placing such a young novice in charge.

Out of respect for their old master, they did not openly object. Privately, however, some mocked the decision and quietly waited to see the boy fail.

…

Read the full article on Nspirement