"Silent Buddha in the Mountain

"Silent Buddha in the Mountains"—A Visit to Taixing Rock in Meishan, Chiayi

The mountain road twisted several times, the sound of cars faded, the chirping of birds approached, and I finally reached Taixing Rock.

The temple wasn't large, but it was as tranquil as an old monk, sitting on the mountainside, watching the comings and goings, speaking nothing, asking nothing, simply observing.

Before the incense burner, I clasped my hands in prayer, not seeking anything, simply letting go of the turbulence and fatigue of the past few days. The Buddha statue, majestic and compassionate, didn't look down upon the world, but quietly gazed ahead—as if it already knew we would come and we would leave.

The Buddha's light in the temple didn't shine brightly, but the sense of peace in the air made me want to stay a little longer. Outside the window were mountains, forests, and lingering clouds; inside the temple were Buddha, incense, and a tranquility that made me not want to leave once I arrived.

I knelt three times, silently chanting:

"May this heart, amidst the chaos of this world, remain as calm and tranquil as the Buddha."

As I left, the wind blew across the stone steps, and a leaf fell at my feet.

I bent down to pick it up, not for any reason, but simply because it was the mountain's response to me.

Post by 諸文武 | Aug 16, 2025

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