Temple of the Celestial Dragon, The

Huang Yushi <huangyushi[dot]hys[at]gmail[dot]com>

Published: Saturday 11 November 2006 - Updated: Saturday 11 November 2006 - Current version: 1

The place where the Stranger in Black wanted the Emperor Baoding to live as a monk after abdicating from the throne of Dali (Chapter 8). Located between Mount Diancang (to the north of its Centre Peak) and the Sea of Er in Dali. Officially known as Chongsheng Temple (Chong2 Sheng4 Si4 崇圣寺); well-known for its three treasured pagodas that were constructed during the early days of the Tang Dynasty. The ancestral temple of the Duan Family of Dali; emperors and princes who became monks did so here (Chapter 10).

Had always come to the aid of the Duan Kings whenever there was trouble in the monarchy; assisted in the quelling of the chaos that ensued after the Emperor Shangde was killed by Yang Yizhen (Chapter 10).

10 tianlongsi

Monks at the temple included (Chapter 10):

  • Bencan 本参 - tall and well-built monk; younger brother-at-arms of Benyin. Learnt the 'Shao Ze Sword of the Little Finger on the Left Hand'.
  • Benchen 本尘 - the Buddhist name given to the Emperor Baoding after he received the tonsure from Kurong. See People -> Emperor Baoding, The.
  • Benguan 本观 - a thin and sallow-skinned monk; older brother-at-arms of Benyin. Learnt the 'Zhong Chong Sword of the Middle Finger'.
  • Benxiang 本相 - also thin and sallow-skinned; older brother-at-arms of Benyin as well. Learnt the 'Shao Chong Sword of the Little Finger'. Considered by Duan Yu as the most amiable of the monks in Muni Hall.
  • Benyin 本因 - the abbot of the Temple of the Celestial Dragon; a younger paternal uncle (shu4 shu 叔叔) of the Emperor Baoding. Unable to come to a decision on Jiumozhi's request; asked Kurong for help. Learnt the 'Shang Yang Sword of the Forefinger'.
  • Kurong 枯荣 - the monk who was highest on the generational hierarchy of the Temple of the Celestial Dragon during Baoding and Duan Yu's visit; uncle-at-arms of Benyin and the other 'Ben' generation monks. Had faced the wall in meditation for decades; thought to have died years ago. Felt that the mastery of the Phenomenal Swords of the Six Meridians was necessary to ensure victory in the impending visit of Jiumozhi. Gave Baoding the tonsure by placing a bony right hand over Baoding's head and using his internal strength to 'remove' Baoding's hair; did a more thorough job than any shaver could ever do. Became the teacher (shi1 fu4 师父) of Baoding. Learnt the 'Shao Shang Sword of the Thumb'. Had a much bigger build than Duan Yu; blocked Duan entirely from view. Had a frightening face -- the left half was rosy, glowing and smooth like that of a baby, but the right half was sallow, wizened and skeletal; the result of the 'Meditations on Whithered-ness and Glory' (Ku1 Rong2 Chan2 Gong1 枯荣禅功).

Bencan, Benguan, Benxiang, Benyin and Kurong were in the midst of learning the Phenomenal Swords of the Six Channels (Liu4 Mai4 Shen Jian4 六脉神剑) when the Emperor Baoding and Duan Yu visited (Chapter 10).

Martial arts that were based in the Temple of the Celestial Dragon included:

  • The Phenomenal Swords of the Six Channels (Chapter 10).
  • Meditations on Withered-ness and Glory (Chapter 10).