Last week, a unique rock inscription that dates back 835 years ago was discovered on a mountain in Cixian County, Handan City, Hebei Province.
According to the local cultural heritage administration, the rock inscription, made up of more than 270 Chinese characters, was carved on a piece of smooth stone about 0.8 meters high and 1.2 meters wide.
The inscription recorded the historical development of Buddhism and the renovation of the Chouchan Temple during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).
Chouchan Temple is said to be where famous Northern Qi Dynasty monk Master Sengchou taught Zen Buddhism.
According to history, Sengchou learned the Buddhist doctrine and martial arts at the Shaolin Temple. As a kungfu expert, Sengchou played a significant role in the tradition of Shaolin monks practicing martial arts.
"The new discovery offers valuable materials to study the history of Buddhism in the southern part of Hebei Province and calligraphy in the Jin Dynasty," said Liu Xinchang, head of the history association of Handan City.
