The First Orchid Exhibition Debuts at Changshou Zen Temple in Daishan, Zhejiang
Some time ago, a gathering of great poetic and cultural richness —— the First Orchid Exhibition at Changshou Zen Temple in Daishan, Zhejiangcame to a perfect close. This orchid exhibition perfectly blended the serene Zen atmosphere of the ancient temple with the elegant grace of orchids, delivering an unforgettable feast for the eyes, ears and senses.
Changshou Zen Temple has a long history, and since its official establishment in 1996 , it has always been an important religious and cultural site in the Daishan area. With its upturned eaves and interlocking brackets, towering ancient trees and lingering sounds of Buddhist chanting, the temple carries the tranquility and wisdom of the passing years. When the slow, distant sound of the bell meets the rich fragrance of orchids, a stunning cultural feast begins.
On the opening day, stepping through the mountain gate, passing the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Mahavira Hall, and walking toward the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, one was surrounded by the serene sound of Buddhist chanting, while the faint, elusive orchid fragrance in the air was even more refreshing to the heart . At the event, Jing Zhihao, host of the Daishan County Converged Media Center, skillfully linked all the segments together, keeping the atmosphere lively yet orderly.
Members of the Daishan Xiyin Xixin Dongxiao Society played ethereal, melodious tunes on the dongxiao, a Chinese bamboo flute; amid the fragrance of the orchids, the sound of the dongxiao rose gently, adding a touch of serene, far-reaching mood to the event .
Young performers from the Zhoushan Youth Yue Opera Troupe took the stage in full costume and makeup; their graceful arias, every gesture and every expression fully displayed the gentle refinement of Yue opera, leaving the audience immersed and enchanted .
Kunqu inheritor Mr. Yang Zhenyi's rendition of "The Peony Pavilion" was even more stunning, displaying the elegant charm of Kunqu in every movement, with a unique vocal style like celestial music that echoed over Changshou Zen Temple for a long time, bringing the artistic atmosphere of the event to a climax .
After the performances ended, the orchid exhibition officially opened. Walking into the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas was like stepping into a dream kingdom of orchids. This orchid exhibition brought together dozens of rare orchid varieties, and the arrangement in the exhibition hall was especially ingenious. Against the backdrop of blue tiles and ancient wood, the orchids formed a breathtaking picture where nature and culture interwove . Among them were varieties with slender petals as light as butterfly wings, as well as little lovelies with small, exquisite flowers hidden among emerald green leaves . Of course, the most eye-catching were the precious varieties, such as Tianyi He, which is golden yellow with thick petals and a flower shape as grand and elegant as a lotus; Fushan Qidie, whose flowers layer and cluster together and give off a faint sweet fragrance; and the uniquely distinctive Huilan Huangbancao .
Among them, the leaves of Huilan Huangbancao are slender and upright, with clearly visible veins, as if carefully outlined by nature. What is most unique is the irregular yellow markings distributed on the leaves, like paint casually splashed by a painter; each marking is one of a kind.According to reports, this Huilan Huangbancao was the most expensive potted flower at the exhibition. From the time it was planted to the time of the exhibition, it had never once bloomed, and the phrase"No flower seen, yet still a hope" explains its unique and rare character.
It belongs to a rare variety of Huilan; Huilan itself is listed as a national second-class key protected wild plant, and the special form of Huangbancao is even more seldom seen .
Its growing environment must meet extremely strict requirements, needing suitable temperature, humidity and light conditions, and its growth cycle is long; from seedling to maturity often takes several years, consuming countless efforts of cultivators . At this orchid exhibition, Huilan Huangbancao attracted the gaze of many visitors, who all marveled at its unique beauty and gained a deeper understanding of how rare it is .
This orchid exhibition not only let peoplefeast their eyes onthe unique beauty of many rare orchids, but also let peopledeeply feelthe unique charm of the fusion of orchid culture and ancient temple culture . If you also regret missing this grand event, it really is a pity! But do not be discouraged; Changshou Zen Temple will continue to hold more wonderful events in the future .