Jin Hua, China, April 12th 2007 So here we are in Jin Hua - a small province in the outskirts of Zhejiang Province.  Left the hotel at 8:30 a.m., headed for the Red Wind Temple (Chi Feng Gong), which is also known to many as the `New’ Huang Da Xian (more on Grandmaster Huang later).  Designed in accordance with the advice of a famous Hong Kong master, it was almost like a `homecoming’ of sorts for some of the participants – who’d been there on previous Excursions.  Joey stopped the bus at the entrance to the Luo Cheng (Spiral Formation)…what with snaking roads and sharp bends, we were told to walk to a vantage point and behold the Temple from afar!  (More
walking on the cards, as expected)  But then again, Joey had his reasons.  Probed by some newbies, he explained that we could clearly see the main Luo Mai (Release of Vein) from that point.  Now, which exactly was the main vein? Joey’s to know, ours to find out!

		In due time, we all managed to identify the main vein and differentiate it from the other mountain ranges (the hallmark of a skilled practitioner, so said Joey), and trudged up the steep flight of stairs from the Temple’s Main Gate.  It was packed with visitors and devotees, so something about this place’s Feng Shui must be right, right?  We soon discovered (at least, the 1st timers amongst us) that this Temple’s structure was designed to tap into the Huge Door Mountain nearby.  Although the `Pulling Nose’ Qi (thanks to the Temple’s proximity to the water in front of it) was a Feng Shui flaw, it didn’t really affect the Temple being a commercial winner!  We were treated to a bonus analysis by Joey, who showed us how to identify the Yin and Yang of the land…he excerpted contents from the Yi Long Jing (Assessing the Dragon Classics), whilst pointing out the various Qi spots within the protruding and sunken contours of the mountains surrounding the Temple.  Oh yes…he did, rather tongue-in-cheek, use parts of the human anatomy (both male and
female) to draw (relevant!) similes and analogies to his explanations…but if the giggles from fellow participants were anything to go by, here’s a good juncture to exercise some censorship!  Afterwards, he emphasized that the mountains within the vicinity weren’t really suited for spiritual purposes – more for making money (huh?).  The Temple’s location would have been better, had it been shifted to the actual Meridian Spot produced by the Dragon Veins.  Sigh…whatever will be, will be…

Our legs then took us to the tomb of Wang Wei - a Prime Minister of the Sung Dynasty.  We dutifully set about our audit of the place, and found out that the tomb faces an `Elephant Hill’ but lacked a `Ghost Mountain’ to support its location.  Probing further though, we managed to limber up a nearby mountain to a point where we could see the veins protruding from a unique Huge Door Vein.  Let it be noted that ALL of us were excited about the prospect of getting within striking distance of a real Dragon Vein and Meridian Spot, and determinedly applied our knowledge to see how the Dragon Vein was tapped into.  It was well worth the physical exertion…we not only learnt how to tap into the area’s Qi, but were also rewarded with a breathtaking view of the mountain ranges bordering the Red Wind Temple…WOW!

Lunch followed suit, after which we were taken to a new spot – the Double Dragon Cave (Xuang Long Dong).  Before that, though, we visited another Temple (!)…Feng Jing Kuan – which predates to the Jin Dynasty (circa 265-420 AD).  It was surprisingly small, yet one of the most visited temples in the whole of Jin Hua.  And if historical accounts were accurate, this Temple counts at least 2 famous sages amongst its visitors: Guo Pu (author of the famous Feng Shui classic, `Burial Book’) and Zhu Xi (a leading Song Dynasty Confucian scholar).  Today, Mastery Academy students have finally struck their colors on this very spot…yahoo!!

Obviously, next on our itinerary was Xuang Long Dong…the spiritual caves where Huang Da Xian (Grandmaster Huang) and many other famous Taoist sages meditated and attained Enlightenment.  We noted the extremely noble Tan Lang Mountain located nearby as the Main Qi source; hence the caves’ propensity towards producing spiritually-inclined individuals.  In fact, a few amongst our entourage – who shared the same persuasion – mentioned that they could somehow confirm (sense?) the presence of Ling (Divine) Qi permeating the area…hmm…interesting!

Minds still abuzz from what we’d just discovered at Xuang Long Dong, we were transported to the `Old’ Huang Da Xian Temple…the site of the original building.  That was another off-the-track place (not your usual touristy spot), some 40 minutes’ drive from its `newer’ counterpart.  Now, Huang Da Xian was a native of Jin Hua and a shepherd.  Having spent most of his time meditating in the mountains (it’s getting a bit Biblical, isn’t it?), he gained Enlightenment and subsequently ascended to the Heavens as an Immortal.  He later helped his brother attain the same Enlightenment, who then joined him in the Heavens as another Immortal! 

With extremely good weather - and equally good visibility of the surrounding panorama siding us - we went about auditing the place, and later gathered around Joey to have our observations confirmed (or corrected).  As precisely described in the Ru Di Yan (Entering Earth Eye) Classics, the mountains at the posterior of the `Old’ Temple are very special Tan Lang Mountains.  They produce double or twin effects; hence the two Immortals produced by the place!  The Meridian Spot - as we subsequently learnt - in this case was a cave behind the 1,700-year old Temple, where Huang Da Xian meditated and sought Enlightenment – before eventually ascending to Heaven as an Immortal.  The Temple was later built to honor him and his sibling. 

Quoting from the Jade Essence Classics, Joey proceeded to draw our attention to the Xuang Cian Formation (which along with the Fairy’s Bridge Vein Release were clearly visible).  But the icing on this place’s cake was the Majestic Seat (Xian Ren Da Zuo) Mountain that so elegantly locked in the Water Mouth to this place – simply excellent Luan Tou (Landforms) Feng Shui!

Only Day 3, and it feels like there’s such a great treasure chest of knowledge imparted upon us already.  We called it a day after visiting the `Old’ Huang Da Xian Temple – and over a hearty lamb-steamboat dinner at Xiao Fei Yang, wondered…what will tomorrow bring? 

End of Day 3 log.