Talk:Chinese Language and Culture - 2025
期末论文
丰都鬼城
简介
丰都鬼城，旧名酆都鬼城，古为“巴子别都”，东汉和帝永元二年置县，已有近2000年的历史，位于重庆市下游丰都县的长江北岸，与丰都新县城隔江相望，占地面积0.45平方千米。丰都鬼城名山包括丰都名山、鬼国神宫、双桂山。山上古刹众多，庙宇达27座。后人造鬼国神宫，是动态人造景观，宫内利用现代声、光、动、电、塑、激光等手段将丰都“鬼城”的近200个“鬼”故事活灵活现地展示出来。鬼城的建筑形式采用了诸多中国传统建筑风格，古色古香。
历史起源
东晋葛洪《神仙传》、历代《酆都县志》等史料记载，汉代方士阴长生、王方平在平都山（今丰都名山）得道成仙，使其成为道教传习中心之一。唐末杜光庭在《洞天福地记》中，将丰都平都山列为七十二福地之一。北宋时，平都山因景色秀丽、寺观众多，吸引了诸多文人墨客，苏轼的“平都天下古名山”更是广为传颂。唐宋之际，受佛道宗教文化影响，社会上出现虚构的鬼域“酆都”说法。当时丰都县名为“豐都”，但据所见史料记载，自南宋起，道教中人开始将实有的“豐都”与鬼域“酆都”附会，范成大《吴船录》、洪迈《夷坚支志》等均有体现。明朝洪武十三年，丰都县名由“豐都”改为“酆都”，加之大量以鬼神为主题的神魔小说、戏曲涌现，丰都县与“鬼城”直接关联起来。
1958年，“大战钢铁”时，山上部分钢铁铸像和钟磐等文物，被砸成废金属“炼钢”。同年3月4日，国务院总理周恩来，副总理李先念、李富春，在四川省委书记阎红彦陪同下，乘“江峡轮”抵达丰都，视察了丰都“鬼城”。周总理当即指示，要注意维修、保护名山的名胜古迹。1966年，名山文物复遭红卫兵等捣毁，各种神像荡然无存。1981年，重庆丰都建“鬼城”旅游景区。1982年，名山风景区凭借丰富的自然资源、良好的生态环境以及深厚的文化底蕴，成为中国首批国家重点风景名胜区。1988年农历三月初三，丰都县举办了新中国成立以来的首届丰都“鬼城"庙会，吸引了周边区县及海内外参加，盛况空前。
2007年6月，丰都县与重庆交旅集团签订合作协议，由重庆交旅集团对丰都名山景区进行整体打造。名山风景区开发项目通过国际招标，由美国一家公司进行规划设计。该公司提出了概念性规划初步方案，涉及区域包括名山、双桂山、五鱼山等，项目由企业投入、市场运作，估算总投资六点五亿元人民币。2022年7月17日，唐王魂游地府项目总投资10亿元，该项目位于丰都鬼城景区内，项目将以丰都鬼城景区地府文化为核心文化依托，以《唐王游地府》的故事为主要脉络，通过声光电的科技光影手段，以场景搭建、全息空间、机械装置等手段为游客打造一个沉浸式的地府奇幻体验旅游项目。
鬼城各部分
天子殿 天子殿始建于西晋，名“乾竺殿”，唐代改名“仙都观”，宋朝名“景德观”，又名“白鹤观”“酆都观”，清初更名为“阎君殿”，后改“曜灵殿”，再后改“天子殿”至今，历史悠久。由于各种原因，这座庙宇在1700多年历史中多次改建重修，现存天子殿是清康熙三年（1664年）重修的，其中的钟鼓楼是清光绪二十七年（1901年）修的。天子殿是名山年代最久，规模最大，保存最完整的庙宇，是鬼城的核心景点。
鬼城牌坊 鬼城牌坊是进入丰都鬼城的必经之路。牌坊上刻有“天下名山”四个大字，这是北宋大文豪苏轼登山时留下的诗句，牌坊两旁的诗句“下笑世上士，沉魂北丰都”意味着死后的审判。
山晓亭 山晓亭是供香客、游客上山休息的地方。它之所以叫“山晓亭”，是因为丰都有八景，其中一景为“平都山晓”。平都山的早晨，薄雾萦绕，古木苍翠，庙宇之屋顶，翘角在绿树丛中时隐时现，恍如人间仙境。
报恩殿 报恩殿里供奉的是地藏王目连。目连是佛祖释迦牟尼的十大弟子之一，称“神通第一”“孝行第一”。地藏菩萨的名字代表着他如同大地一样含藏着无数善根种子。地藏菩萨与文殊菩萨、普贤菩萨、观音菩萨合称为佛教四大菩萨。文殊称为“大智”，普贤称为“大行”，观音称为“大悲”，而地藏称为“大愿”。地藏菩萨的“大愿”按照佛教的说法，地藏菩萨受释迦牟尼托付，在释迦牟尼寂灭后而未来佛弥勒下世前担当起教化六道众生的重任。地藏受此重托，在佛祖前立下誓愿，要度尽六道众生，拯救众苦，直到地狱撤空，再没有任何一个“罪鬼”受苦，自己才成佛。按佛教的说法，六道轮回永无休止，所以地藏菩萨只能在地狱中无怨无悔地做着永无止境的教化工作。
财神殿 财神殿里面供奉的是两位财神，一位是文财神比干、一位是武财神赵公明。中国的人多，财神也多。文财神有商朝的比干，战国时的范蠡；武财神有道教中的赵公明、三国时的关羽。另外，还有五路财神，即赵公元帅赵公明，招宝天尊萧升，纳珍天尊曹宝，招财使者陈九公，利市仙官姚少司。
奈何桥 奈何桥原是寥阳殿的附属建筑，建于明代，后被附会成奈何桥，桥下的水池被称作“血河池”。“奈何”二字系梵文的音译，意即“地狱”，传说是阳间通往阴曹地府之桥，桥长7.2米、宽2.5米。奈何桥不仅是通往阴曹地府的通道，也是检验人在世时是善是恶的关口。“百年”之后，善人过奈何桥能顺利通过，恶人过奈何桥就会被守桥鬼卒用利刀尖叉打落到血河池中，再被铜蛇铁狗撕咬吞食。奈何桥两边还各有一座石桥，左为金桥，右为银桥。在世为官清廉、德行高尚的人有神佛接引，能顺利通过金桥飞升成仙；在世行善积德的人有白无常迎接，能顺利通过银桥，再经阴天子发落转世投胎到富贵人家。
星辰礅 星辰礅由上下两部分组成，上面的铁暾叫“心神铁”，是个半球形，重182.5千克；下面底座叫“铁灵根”。传说是唐代尉迟敬德在名山监修寺庙，为练腕力而铸的，据说能将星辰破上部分旋摞上去，使之立于中心凸起部位之上，就可以治心病。治心病并非治心脏病，而是那种心中有忧、焦虑成疾的心病。
玉皇殿 登上三十三重天，是玉皇大帝住的地方——玉皇殿。玉皇殿古名“凌霄宫”，清康熙四年（1665年）重修，名为“玉皇观”，清康熙末年更名“玉皇殿”至今。
百子殿 百子殿是以前香客们求菩萨送子和保佑孩子成长的地方，里面供奉着观音﹑普贤、文殊三大菩萨，还有送子娘娘和催生娘娘。
鬼门关 传说鬼门关是进入鬼国的必经关卡，无论是谁来到这里都必须接受检查是否持有鬼国通行证，也就是“路引”。这是人死后到鬼国报到的依据。通行证长3尺，宽2尺，是用黄色的软纸印做的，写有“为丰都天予阎罗大帝发给路引和普天下人必备此引，方能到地府转世升天”。通行证上面盖有“阴司城隍、丰都县府”三个印章。凡是人死后入殓或火化时烧掉它，就会随灵魂来到地府，所到之处才能畅通无阻。
十六鬼神
丰都十六鬼神是指在冥府中担任重要角色的十六位鬼神，他们分别有着各自的职责和特点。
1、黑无常 黑无常是丰都十六鬼神中的首领，也是阴间的执法者。他身穿黑色军袍，手持铁链和符纸，负责迎送死亡的灵魂。黑无常实力强大，是丰都中最厉害的鬼神之一。
2、白无常 白无常与黑无常一样，也是冥府的执法者之一。他穿着白衣，手持大公文书，脸上总是带着严肃的表情。白无常的力量很大，审判能力也非常强。
3、瘟君子 瘟君子掌管着流行病和瘟疫，他通常带着口罩和灵符，用来阻挡瘟神。在地府中，他的地位很高，有时会在黑白无常的指导下与死者作斗争，控制他们的命运。
4、财神爷 财神爷是阎王爷财务部门的主管，负责掌管天下所有的金钱、财物。他手上的蒲扇具有神奇力量，能带来财运和好运。然而，他也喜欢玩弄人，尤其是那些迷信财神的人。
5、牛头马面 牛头马面是丰都十六鬼神中的地府骑警，他们使用的拖鞭能够引导灵魂走向正义之路。他们是地府中的一员重要角色。
6、阎罗王 阎罗王是丰都十六鬼神中的权力最大的阎王爷的右臂，负责审案，决定人们的去向。在地府中，他的权力极大，是最高审判员之一。
7、红拂女 红拂女是丰都十六鬼神中的舞刀佳人，她善于诱惑男人，抓住他们的心灵，使他们成为她的仆人。她的迷人外表和天赋才能，让许多男子为之倾倒。
8、白头老者 白头老者是丰都十六鬼神中的武器师，负责制造死神之刃，并教授阴间武将如何使用。他的武器制造技术非常高超，所制造的武器比其他武器更强大。
9、擎天柱 擎天柱是丰都十六鬼神中的权威，能够操纵人间的无尽力量来控制人事。在地狱中，他的一声吼叫就能使鬼魂汇聚，听从他的命令。
10、地藏王 地藏王是丰都十六鬼神中的警卫，全身的器物都是火金土三行之物。他拥有强大的能量，能够拯救地狱中的冤魂，并将他们轮回到人间去济度生命。
11、李靖 李靖是丰都十六鬼神中的阎王爷手下的大将，他全身被灵力所包裹，非常强大。他的剑能够通天，指引丰都军队快速移动。
12、铁扇公主 铁扇公主是丰都十六鬼神中的美丽鬼女子，她身穿红袍，脸上带着邪气的表情。她能够掌控每个遇害的灵魂，在地府中拥有极高的威望。
13、小金刚 小金刚是丰都十六鬼神中的小鬼，负责帮助黑白无常拦截被告魂魄。他可以通过语言来控制某些鬼魂的行动。
14、黑曜日 黑曜日是丰都十六鬼神中的调解者，负责解决地府中的矛盾纷争。他拥有强大的力量，能够运用黑暗元素来消灭敌人。
15、判官阮 判官阮是丰都十六鬼神中的审判者，他能够透视每个人的真实想法，并使之认罪。他是阎王爷的主要左右手，在地府中担任重要角色。
16、雷公爷 雷公爷是丰都十六鬼神中的最后一个鬼军，他掌握着猛烈的雷电之力。他能够惩罚恶行，使善恶有报。
丰都十六鬼神各司其职，是阎王爷在冥府中最强大的鬼兵。虽然很多人不相信阴间的存在，但在古代，他们是人们最为恐惧的梦魇。如果你的行为不端，也许你就会被这些鬼兵抓到地府接受审判。
文化内涵
丰都“鬼城”从神话传说到陆续用实物建造，已有2000余年的历史。在漫长的历史进程中，将佛教、道教、儒教学说以及中国的鬼神文化有机结合起来，将巴渝文化、中原文化和域外文化有机结合起来，将民间神话传说、想象与现实生活有机结合起来，将建筑、雕塑、绘画等多种艺术形式有机结合起来，形成了独树一帜的鬼城文化，成为博大精深的民俗文化的典型代表，其现实价值不可低估。同时，“鬼城”汇集了自唐代以来的各类建筑、雕塑、绘画作品，集中表现了丰富的东方鬼神文化，将神话传说中的阴曹地府、十八层地狱通过民族建筑的形式展现在人们面前，也具有很高的历史文化价值。
“鬼城”描绘的是机构完整、职能齐全的一个阴间国度，鬼城文化对人死后灵魂到阴间的过程，是一个完整的体系，令人信服。人死后善人由白无常迎接，恶人由黑无常捉拿。过阴阳界，走黄泉路，入鬼门关，过奈何桥，登望乡台，最后望别阳间，然后由判官根据查察司提供的材料进行判决。“鬼城”设立的阴间机构都在惩罚那些十恶不赦分子，使冤屈得到昭雪，正义得到伸张。鬼城文化是以鬼喻事，以鬼说人，教化众生，弃恶从善，具有教化从善、惩恶扬善的本意。
随着“鬼城”的传说在全国流传，丰都政府打造了鬼脸谱、镇邪伞、孟婆迷魂茶、仙家豆腐乳、鬼城麻辣鸡块等众多特产，吸引了大量游客前来参观，带来了良好的经济效益。特别是延续了一年一届的鬼城庙会，更是推动了经济发展，丰都的知名度也大大地提升。
参考文献
[1]田学芝.丰都鬼城文化旅游意象研究[D].重庆师范大学,2017. [2]刘程利主编.丰都旅游.重庆大学出版社,2019.06,第63-73页. [3]丰都鬼城:名山之上藏着魔幻色彩的亡灵归宿之地.凤凰旅游网,2022-08-16. [4]三峡大坝等入选长江三峡30最佳旅游新景观.人民网,2022-08-16. [5]大英徐氏泥彩匠.巧塑丰都“鬼城”塑像．四川省情网,2022-08-16.
术语
平都山 庙会 名山 奈何桥 鬼门关 鬼神文化 惩恶扬善
问题
1、丰都鬼城起源于哪个朝代？ 2、丰都鬼城的必经之路是什么？ 3、能够审判善行与罪恶的桥是什么桥？ 4、佛教四大菩萨是哪几位？ 5、进入鬼国的必经关卡是什么？ 6、掌管疾病和财富的两位神仙分别是什么？ 7、丰都十六鬼神的首领是谁？ 8、设立鬼城的初衷是什么？
答案
1、东汉 2、鬼城牌坊 3、奈何桥 4、地藏菩萨、普贤菩萨、文殊菩萨、观音菩萨 5、鬼门关 6、瘟君子、财神爷 7、黑无常 8、惩恶扬善
Final Exam Paper
Fengdu Ghost city
Introduction
Fengdu Ghost City, formerly known as Fengdu Ghost City, was historically known as "Bazibie Capital". It was established as a county in the second year of Emperor He's reign in the Eastern Han Dynasty, boasting a history of nearly 2,000 years. Located on the north bank of the Yangtze River in Fengdu County, downstream of Chongqing, it faces the new county seat of Fengdu across the river and covers an area of 0.45 square kilometers. The famous mountains in Fengdu Ghost City include Fengdu Mingshan, Guiguo Shrine, and Shuanggui Mountain. There are numerous ancient temples on the mountains, with a total of 27 temples. The later-built Guiguo Shrine is a dynamic man-made landscape. Inside the shrine, modern sound, light, motion, electricity, plastic, laser, and other means are used to vividly display nearly 200 "ghost" stories of Fengdu "Ghost City". The architectural style of the Ghost City adopts many traditional Chinese architectural styles, giving it an antique and charming appearance.
History and Origin
According to historical records such as Ge Hong's "Biography of Immortals" during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the "Fengdu County Annals" throughout history, the Han Dynasty alchemists Yin Changsheng and Wang Fangping achieved enlightenment and immortality on Pingdu Mountain (now a famous mountain in Fengdu), making it one of the centers of Taoist practice. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, Du Guangting listed Pingdu Mountain in Fengdu as one of the seventy-two blessed places in his book "Dongtian Fudi Ji". During the Northern Song Dynasty, Pingdu Mountain attracted many literati and scholars due to its beautiful scenery and large number of temple visitors. Su Shi's "Pingdu Ancient Mountain" was widely praised. During the Tang and Song dynasties, influenced by Buddhist and Taoist religious culture, there emerged a fictional concept of the "Fengdu" ghost realm in society. At that time, Fengdu County was called "Fengdu", but according to historical records, since the Southern Song Dynasty, Taoist people began to associate the actual "Fengdu" with the "Fengdu" of the Ghost Realm, as reflected in Fan Chengda's "Wu Chuanlu" and Hong Mai's "Yijian Zhizhi". In the 13th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, the name of Fengdu County was changed from "Fengdu" to "Fengdu". In addition, a large number of ghost themed novels and dramas emerged, directly linking Fengdu County with the "ghost city".
In 1958, during the "Great Steel Smelting Campaign", some steel statues and cultural relics such as bell and drum on the mountain were smashed into scrap metal for "steel smelting". On March 4th of the same year, Premier Zhou Enlai, Vice Premiers Li Xiannian and Li Fuchun, accompanied by Sichuan Provincial Party Secretary Yan Hongyan, arrived in Fengdu by the "Jiangxia Ferry" to inspect the "Ghost City" of Fengdu. Premier Zhou immediately instructed that attention should be paid to the maintenance and protection of the scenic spots and historical sites of the famous mountain. In 1966, the cultural relics of the famous mountain were once again destroyed by the Red Guards and others, and various statues were completely destroyed.
In 1981, the "Ghost City" tourist attraction was established in Fengdu, Chongqing. In 1982, the Mingshan Scenic Area, with its abundant natural resources, excellent ecological environment, and profound cultural heritage, became one of China's first batch of national key scenic spots. On the third day of the third lunar month in 1988, Fengdu County held the first "Ghost City" temple fair since the founding of the People's Republic of China, attracting participants from neighboring districts and counties as well as from home and abroad, creating an unprecedented grand occasion.
In June 2007, Fengdu County signed a cooperation agreement with Chongqing Transportation and Tourism Group to develop the Fengdu Famous Mountain Scenic Area as a whole. The development project of Mingshan Scenic Area was planned and designed by an American company through international bidding. The company has proposed a preliminary conceptual plan, involving areas such as Mingshan, Shuanggui Mountain, Wuyu Mountain, etc. The project is invested by the enterprise and operated by the market, with an estimated total investment of 650 million yuan.
On July 17, 2022, the total investment of the Tang King's Soul Tour of the underworld project was 1 billion yuan. The project is located in the Fengdu Ghost City Scenic Area, and will rely on the culture of the underworld in the Fengdu Ghost City Scenic Area as its core cultural support. The story of "Tang King's Tour of the underworld" will be the main thread, and through the technology of sound, light, and electricity, the project will use scene construction, holographic space, mechanical devices, and other means to create an immersive fantasy experience tourism project for tourists.
Parts of Ghost City
Tianzi Hall The Tianzi Hall was first built in the Western Jin Dynasty, named "Qianzhu Hall", renamed "Xiandu Temple" in the Tang Dynasty, "Jingde Temple" in the Song Dynasty, also known as "Baihe Temple" and "Fengdu Temple", renamed "Yanjun Hall" in the early Qing Dynasty, later changed to "Yaoling Hall", and later changed to "Tianzi Hall". It has a long history to this day. Due to various reasons, this temple has undergone multiple renovations and reconstructions over its more than 1700 year history. The existing Tianzi Hall was rebuilt in the third year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1664), and the Bell and Drum Tower was renovated in the 27th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1901). The Tianzi Hall is the oldest, largest, and most well preserved temple on the famous mountain, and is the core attraction of the Ghost City.
Memorial archway Memorial archway is the only way to enter Fengdu Ghost City. The memorial archway is inscribed with four characters, "World famous mountain", which is a poem left by Su Shi, a great writer of the Northern Song Dynasty, when climbing the mountain. The poem on both sides of the memorial archway, "Laugh at the world sergeant, sink your soul into the north Fengdu", means the trial after death.
Shanxiao Pavilion Shanxiao Pavilion is a place for pilgrims and tourists to rest on the mountain. It is called "Shanxiao Pavilion" because Fengdu has eight scenic spots, one of which is "Pingdu Shanxiao". In the morning of Pingdu Mountain, the mist lingers, the ancient trees are lush and green, and the roofs of temples, with their upturned corners appearing and disappearing in the green trees, seem like a fairyland on earth.
The Hall of Gratitude The Hall of Gratitude enshrines the Ksitigarbha King Mulian. Mulian was one of the top ten disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, known as the "Number One in Divine Skills" and "Number One in Filial Piety". The name Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva represents that he, like the earth, contains countless seeds of goodness. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Guanyin Bodhisattva are collectively known as the four great bodhisattvas of Buddhism. Manjusri is called "Great Wisdom", Samantabhadra is called "Great Action", Guanyin is called "Great Compassion", and Ksitigarbha is called "Great Aspiration". According to Buddhism, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's "Great Vows" are entrusted by Shakyamuni to undertake the responsibility of educating sentient beings in the six realms after Shakyamuni's death and before the future reincarnation of Buddha Maitreya. Under this heavy trust, Ksitigarbha made a vow in front of the Buddha, pledging to exhaust all sentient beings from the six realms, save all suffering, until hell is emptied and no more "sinful ghosts" suffer, and then he becomes a Buddha. According to Buddhism, the cycle of reincarnation in the six realms is endless, so Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva can only do endless educational work in hell without complaint or regret.
Temple of Wealth There are two God of Wealth enshrined in the Temple of Wealth, one is the Wen God of Wealth Bi Gan, and the other is the Wu God of Wealth Zhao Gongming. There are many people in China, and there are also many gods of wealth. The God of Wealth, Wen, had the Bi Gan of the Shang Dynasty and the Fan Li of the Warring States Period; The God of Wealth in martial arts includes Zhao Gongming from Taoism and Guan Yu from the Three Kingdoms period. In addition, there are five gods of wealth, namely Zhao Gongming, the commander-in-chief of Zhao AD, Xiao Sheng, the heavenly lord of Zhaobao, Cao Bao, the heavenly lord of Nazhen, Chen Jiugong, the messenger of wealth, and Yao Shaosi, the immortal official of Lishi.
Naihe Bridge The Naihe Bridge was originally an annex building of the Liaoyang Hall, built in the Ming Dynasty, and later became the Naihe Bridge. The water pool under the bridge is called the "Blood River Pool". The word 'Naihe' is a transliteration of Sanskrit, meaning 'hell'. Legend has it that it is a bridge from the mortal world to the underworld of Yin Cao, with a length of 7.2 meters and a width of 2.5 meters. The Naihe Bridge is not only a passage to the underworld, but also a gateway to test whether a person is good or evil during their lifetime. After a hundred years, good people can pass through the Naihe Bridge smoothly, while evil people will be knocked down by the bridge guarding ghost soldiers with sharp knives and forks, and then bitten and swallowed by copper snakes and iron dogs. There is also a stone bridge on each side of the Naihe Bridge, with a golden bridge on the left and a silver bridge on the right. People who are upright and virtuous in their lifetime are guided by gods and Buddhas, and can smoothly ascend to immortality through the Golden Bridge; Those who accumulate virtue in the World Bank are welcomed by Bai Impermanence, who can smoothly pass through the Silver Bridge and then reincarnate into a wealthy family through the Yin Emperor.
The Starry Sky Pier The Starry Sky Pier consists of two parts, the iron on top is called "Heart and Mind Iron", which is a hemisphere with a weight of 182.5 kilograms; The base below is called 'Iron Spirit Root'. Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, Wei Chi Jingde supervised the construction of a temple on a famous mountain and cast it for the purpose of practicing wrist strength. It is said that he was able to spin and stack the upper part of the broken star onto it, making it stand on top of the central protrusion, which can cure heart disease. Treating heart disease is not about treating heart disease, but about the kind of heart disease that is plagued by worries and anxieties.
Jade Emperor Temple Ascending the Thirty Three Heavens, is the residence of the Jade Emperor - the Jade Emperor Hall. The Jade Emperor Palace, formerly known as Lingxiao Palace, was renovated in the fourth year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1665) and named "Jade Emperor Temple". It was renamed "Jade Emperor Palace" in the late Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty and remains so to this day.
The Hundred-kids Hall The Hundred-kids Hall was a place where pilgrims used to pray for bodhisattvas to send their children and bless their growth. Inside, there are three great bodhisattvas, Guanyin, Samantabhadra, and Manjusri, as well as the Goddess of Sending off Children and the Goddess of Fertility.
Guimen Pass Legend has it that Guimen Pass is a necessary checkpoint for entering the Ghost Kingdom, and anyone who comes here must undergo a check to see if they hold a Ghost Kingdom pass, also known as a "guide". This is the basis for reporting to the ghost country after death. The pass is 3 feet long and 2 feet wide, printed on yellow soft paper, and reads: 'This is a necessary guide for the people of the earth to be reincarnated and ascend to heaven, given to Yama the Great by the Heavenly Capital.'. The pass is stamped with three seals: "Yinsi Chenghuang, Fengdu County Government". When a person is buried or cremated after death and burned, it will follow the soul to the underworld, and wherever it goes, it will be unobstructed.
Sixteen Ghosts and Gods
The sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu refer to the sixteen ghosts and gods who play important roles in the underworld, each with their own responsibilities and characteristics.
1. Black impermanence Black Impermanence is the leader of the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, and also the enforcer of the underworld. He was dressed in a black military robe, holding an iron chain and talisman paper, responsible for welcoming the souls of death. Black Impermanence is powerful and one of the most formidable ghosts and gods in Fengdu.
2. White impermanence White impermanence, like black impermanence, is also one of the enforcers of the underworld. He was wearing white clothes, holding a large official document, and always had a serious expression on his face. White impermanence has great power and strong judgment ability.
3. Plague gentleman The Plague Gentleman is in charge of epidemics and plagues. He usually wears a mask and spiritual talisman to stop the Plague God. In the underworld, he holds a high position and sometimes struggles with the deceased under the guidance of black and white impermanence, controlling their fate.
4. God of Wealth The God of Wealth is the head of the finance department of the King of Yan, responsible for managing all the money and property in the world. The fan in his hand has magical powers that can bring wealth and good luck. However, he also enjoys playing with people, especially those who are superstitious about the God of Wealth.
5. Cow Head Horse Face Cow Head Horse face is the underworld mounted police of the Sixteen Ghosts and Gods in Fengdu. The whips they use can guide the soul towards the path of justice. They are important members of the underworld.
6. Yama King Yama is the right arm of the most powerful Yama prince among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, responsible for adjudicating cases and deciding people's whereabouts. In the underworld, his power is immense and he is one of the highest judges.
7. Red Brushed Lady Red Brushed Lady is a beautiful swordsman among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu. She is good at tempting men, capturing their hearts, and making them her servants. Her charming appearance and natural talent have captivated many men.
8. Old man with white hair The old man with white hair is a weapon master among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, responsible for making the Blade of Death and teaching the underworld generals how to use it. His weapon manufacturing technology is extremely advanced, and the weapons he manufactures are more powerful than other weapons.
9. Optimus Prime Optimus Prime is the authority among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, capable of manipulating the infinite power of the human world to control human affairs. In hell, his roar can gather ghosts and obey his commands.
10. Ksitigarbha King The Ksitigarbha King is a guard among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, and all his belongings are of the three elements of fire, gold, and earth. He possesses powerful energy that can save the vengeful souls in hell and reincarnate them to the human world to save their lives.
11. Li Jing Li Jing is a great general under the command of Yan Wangye, one of the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu. He is completely enveloped in spiritual power and is extremely powerful. His sword can reach the sky and guide the Fengdu army to move quickly.
12. Iron Fan Princess Princess Iron Fan is a beautiful ghost woman among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu. She is dressed in a red robe and has a sinister expression on her face. She is able to control every killed soul and holds a high reputation in the underworld.
13. Little King Kong Little King Kong is a little devil among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, responsible for helping Black and White Impermanence intercept the defendant's soul. He can control the actions of certain ghosts through language.
14. Obsidian Obsidian is the mediator among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, responsible for resolving conflicts and disputes in the underworld. He possesses powerful abilities and can use dark elements to eliminate enemies.
15. Judge Ruan Judge Ruan is the judge among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu. He can see through everyone's true thoughts and make them confess. He is the main right-hand man of Yan Wangye and plays an important role in the underworld.
16、Thunder God Thunder God is the last ghost army among the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu, wielding the fierce power of lightning. He can punish evil deeds and ensure that good and evil are rewarded.
The sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu each perform their duties, and they are the most powerful ghost soldiers of the King of Hell in the underworld. Although many people do not believe in the existence of the underworld, in ancient times, they were the most feared nightmares for people. If your behavior is improper, perhaps you will be captured by these ghost soldiers and put on trial in the underworld.
Cultural Connotation
The "Ghost City" in Fengdu has a history of over 2000 years, from myths and legends to the construction of physical objects. In the long historical process, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and China's ghost and god culture have been organically combined. Ba Yu culture, Central Plains culture, and foreign cultures have been organically combined. Folk myths and legends, imagination, and real life have been organically combined. Various art forms such as architecture, sculpture, and painting have been organically combined to form a unique ghost city culture, which has become a typical representative of the profound and extensive folk culture. Its practical value cannot be underestimated. At the same time, the "Ghost City" gathers various architectural, sculptural, and painting works since the Tang Dynasty, showcasing rich Eastern ghost and god culture. It presents the mythical and legendary Yin Cao Di Fu and the eighteen story hell in the form of ethnic architecture, and also has high historical and cultural value.
The 'ghost city' depicts a fully organized and functionally complete underworld kingdom, and the ghost city culture is a convincing system for the process of a person's soul entering the underworld after death. After death, good people are welcomed by White Impermanence, while evil people are captured by Black Impermanence. Passing through the Yin Yang realm, taking the Yellow Spring Road, entering the Ghost Gate, crossing the Naihe Bridge, climbing the Wangxiang Terrace, and finally looking away from the Yang world, the judge will make a judgment based on the materials provided by the Inspectorate. The underworld institutions established in the 'ghost city' are all punishing those heinous criminals, so that their grievances can be cleared and justice can be upheld. Ghost city culture uses ghosts to symbolize things and people, educates sentient beings, abandons evil and follows good, and has the original intention of educating and punishing evil and promoting good.
With the spread of the legend of "ghost town" throughout the country, Fengdu government has created many specialties, such as ghost mask, Suppress Evil umbrella, Mengpo enchanting tea, Fairy fermented bean curd, ghost town spicy chicken pieces, which have attracted a large number of tourists and brought good economic benefits. Especially with the annual Ghost City Temple Fair, it has promoted economic development and greatly increased the popularity of Fengdu.
References
[1] Tian Xuezhi: A Study on the Cultural Tourism Imagery of Fengdu Ghost City [D]. Chongqing Normal University, 2017 [2] Edited by Liu Chengli: Fengdu Tourism. Chongqing University Press, June 2019, pages 63-73 [3] Fengdu Ghost City: a magical destination for the souls of the deceased hidden on famous mountains. Phoenix Tourism Network, Aug 16, 2022 [4] The Three Gorges Dam and other attractions have been selected as the top 30 new tourist attractions in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. People's Daily Online, August 16, 2022 [5] Giant Ying Xu's mud painter. Cleverly sculpting the "Ghost City" statue in Fengdu. Situation in Sichuan Province, 2022-08-16
Terms
Pingdu Mountain Temple fair Ming Mountain/Famous Mountain The bridge to Hell/Naihe Bridge Guimen Pass Ghostly and Divine Culture Punish evil-doers and encourage people to do good
Questions
1. Which dynasty did Fengdu Ghost City originate from? 2. What is the necessary route to Fengdu Ghost City? 3. What is the bridge that can judge good deeds and evil? 4. What are the four great bodhisattvas in Buddhism? 5. What are the necessary checkpoints to enter the Ghost Kingdom? 6. What are the two immortals in charge of illness and wealth? 7. Who is the leader of the sixteen ghosts and gods in Fengdu? 8. What was the original intention of establishing a ghost city?
Answers
1. Eastern Han Dynasty 2. Ghost City memorial archway 3. Naihe Bridge 4. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva and Guanyin Bodhisattva 5. Guimen Pass 6. Plague gentleman and God of Wealth 7. Black impermanence 8. Punish evil and promote good.