肉身殿居(ju)神光嶺頭,1983年(nian),被(bei)國(guo)務院確定(ding)為漢族(zu)地區佛教全國(guo)重(zhong)點寺院。
肉(rou)身殿是安葬金(jin)地藏(zang)肉(rou)身的(de)地方,亦(yi)稱地藏(zang)塔,而九華山是與金(jin)地藏(zang),金(jin)喬覺(jue)的(de)名字分不開(kai)的(de)。
金(jin)(jin)喬覺(696-794);系新羅僧(seng)人(ren)(ren),俗(su)稱金(jin)(jin)地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang),古新羅國(今朝(chao)鮮半島(dao)東(dong)南部)國王金(jin)(jin)氏近族。相(xiang)傳(chuan)其(qi)人(ren)(ren)“項聳奇骨,軀長七尺,而(er)(er)(er)力倍百夫”。“心(xin)慈而(er)(er)(er)貌惡,穎悟天然。”24歲時,削發為僧(seng),攜(xie)白犬“善聽”,從新羅國航海來華(hua)。初抵江南,卸舟(zhou)登陸(lu),經(jing)南陵等地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)上(shang)九(jiu)華(hua)。相(xiang)傳(chuan)九(jiu)華(hua)山原為青陽縣居士閔(min)(min)讓(rang)(rang)和屬地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)。金(jin)(jin)喬覺向其(qi)乞(qi)一(yi)袈裟地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di),不意(yi)展衣(yi)后(hou)竟遍(bian)覆九(jiu)峰。閔(min)(min)讓(rang)(rang)和十分驚(jing)異,由(you)驚(jing)而(er)(er)(er)喜,先讓(rang)(rang)其(qi)子(zi)拜師,后(hou)自己(ji)亦隨之(zhi)皈(gui)依。至今九(jiu)華(hua)山寺殿中(zhong)(zhong)地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)圣像左右(you)的隨侍者,即為閔(min)(min)讓(rang)(rang)和父子(zi)。金(jin)(jin)喬覺來山后(hou),居詮在東(dong)岸(an)峰的巖(yan)洞(dong)里(后(hou)人(ren)(ren)稱之(zhi)為“地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)洞(dong)”),巖(yan)棲漳汲,過著十分清苦(ku)的禪(chan)修(xiu)生(sheng)活(huo)。唐(tang)至德二年(757年)山下長老諸葛節(jie)等數(shu)人(ren)(ren)結伴登山,一(yi)路但見深山峽谷(gu),荊榛莽莽,寂靜無人(ren)(ren)。到得東(dong)崖,見巖(yan)洞(dong)內(nei)唯(wei)有(you)(you)釋地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)孑然一(yi)身(shen),閉(bi)目端坐,旁邊放一(yi)折足鼎,鼎中(zhong)(zhong)盛(sheng)有(you)(you)少數(shu)白米摻雜觀音土煮的剩飯(fan),眾長老為有(you)(you)如此苦(ku)修(xiu)之(zhi)人(ren)(ren),而(er)(er)(er)肅然起敬(jing)。于(yu)(yu)是共同籌劃興建禪(chan)舍(she),供養地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)。不到一(yi)年時間,一(yi)座(zuo)廟宇建成,地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)有(you)(you)了棲身(shen)之(zhi)地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)和收留徒眾常住寺內(nei)的條件。其(qi)大弟子(zi)、首(shou)座(zuo)僧(seng)用(yong)瑜,身(shen)體力行,斬荊披棘,率眾墾荒,鑿渠開溝(gou),造水田,種谷(gu)物,勞(lao)動自給,堅(jian)持苦(ku)修(xiu)。建中(zhong)(zhong)二年(781年)池(chi)州(zhou)太守張巖(yan),因仰慕地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang),施舍(she)甚(shen)厚,并奏請朝(chao)廷將“化(hua)城(cheng):舊額(e)移于(yu)(yu)該寺。郡內(nei)官吏豪族,紛紛以(yi)師禮皈(gui)依地(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)藏(zang),向化(hua)城(cheng)寺捐獻大量(liang)財(cai)帛。金(jin)(jin)喬覺,聲聞遐(xia)爾,連新羅國僧(seng)眾聞說,也相(xiang)繼渡海來華(hua)隨侍。
唐貞(zhen)元十(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(794年(nian)(nian)(nian)),金(jin)喬覺99歲,忽(hu)召眾(zhong)徒告別,趺跏圓寂。相傳其(qi)時“山(shan)鳴(ming)石(shi)隕,扣釧嘶嘎(ga),群鳥(niao)哀啼,地出火光”。其(qi)肉身(shen)置(zhi)函中(zhong)經三(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian),仍(reng)“顏色(se)如(ru)生,兜羅(luo)手軟,羅(luo)節有(you)聲,如(ru)撼金(jin)鎖”。眾(zhong)佛徒根據《大乘大集地藏十(shi)輪經》語:菩薩“安忍如(ru)大地,靜慮可秘藏”。認(ren)定(ding)他即地藏菩薩示現。建(jian)一石(shi)塔,將肉身(shen)供于石(shi)塔中(zhong),尊為(wei)金(jin)地藏,嗣后配以殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇(yu),稱肉身(shen)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。從此九華山(shan)名聲遠播,逐漸形(xing)成與(yu)五(wu)臺(tai)山(shan)文殊、峨眉(mei)普賢、普陀(tuo)觀音相并稱的地藏菩薩應化道場。 明(ming)萬歷年(nian)(nian)(nian)間朝廷賜銀重修(xiu)塔殿(dian)(dian)(dian),賜額“護國肉身(shen)寶塔”。清康熙(xi)二(er)十(shi)二(er)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(683年(nian)(nian)(nian))池州喻成龍重修(xiu)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇(yu),正殿(dian)(dian)(dian)大門(men)朝北,建(jian)有(you)84級(ji)臺(tai)階(jie)。咸豐(feng)七年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1857年(nian)(nian)(nian))大部分殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇(yu)遭兵燹。同治初山(shan)洪(hong)沖(chong)倒殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇(yu),繼又重建(jian)。光緒十(shi)二(er)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(1886年(nian)(nian)(nian))開肉身(shen)塔大規模重修(xiu),移殿(dian)(dian)(dian)門(men)正南向,門(men)額懸掛“東(dong)南第(di)一山(shan)”橫(heng)匾。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)南陡建(jian)8l級(ji)臺(tai)階(jie)。1914年(nian)(nian)(nian)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇(yu)重修(xiu)。1917年(nian)(nian)(nian)黎元洪(hong)書贈“地藏大愿”匾額。1944-1946年(nian)(nian)(nian)住持僧化雨。1947-1949年(nian)(nian)(nian)住持僧寶嚴。
1955年和1981年又(you)兩次重修。該寺殿宇宏偉(wei),是塔(ta)殿式建筑(zhu)(zhu),上蓋鐵瓦,四角有(you)宮殿式翹檐。殿內漢白玉輔地,塔(ta)基(ji)上建有(you)七層(ceng)八方木塔(ta),每(mei)層(ceng)木塔(ta)有(you)佛龕供地藏菩(pu)薩佛像。全寺建筑(zhu)(zhu)面積705平方米。為(wei)安(an)徽省重點(dian)文(wen)物(wu)保護單位,全國(guo)漢族地區佛教重點(dian)寺院。
肉身殿是典型(xing)的(de)宮殿式建筑,座落于九(jiu)華山(shan)街(jie)西神光嶺頭,周圍古木(mu)參天,濃蔭蔽空。殿宇高15米(mi),山(shan)門西南(nan),紅墻森嚴,巍峨雄(xiong)壯。入(ru)殿須登八十一級臺階。站在(zai)臺階之下(xia),舉引仰望(wang),可見南(nan)門廳(ting)上(shang)方有兩塊橫(heng)額。上(shang)額書“肉身寶殿”四字,楷書,豎匾四周鑲飾立體花邊,無署款;下(xia)額書“東南(nan)第(di)一山(shan)”五字,行(xing)書,民國(guo)八年(1919年)閏(run)七月(yue)青陽人(ren)施玉藻題。上(shang)署“浙江慈(ci)裕縣信(xin)士董東海、董東福久感(gan)地藏王威靈,以助(zhu)夙愿。”
拾級而上,兩旁有鐵(tie)索欄(lan)桿防護(hu),欄(lan)桿外(wai)沿山坡砌成七層梯形花(hua)圃(pu),培植(zhi)著黃楊、丹(dan)桂、竹、菊等四時花(hua)卉。其東(dong)側有明刻松枝化石碑(bei)《地藏圣跡碑(bei)記》,為明萬歷(li)年間劉光復所撰寫。
石內(nei)松枝干大如(ru)銅(tong)錢(qian),樹皮、紋理清晰可(ke)辨。與塔(ta)基(ji)相平處橫一巨石。似人工洞頂,南面橫刻(ke)著“磐(pan)石常安(an)”四(si)字,此乃祝(zhu)愿(yuan)塔(ta)殿永久堅固之愿(yuan);北面刻(ke)著“神光(guang)(guang)異彩”四(si)字,為(wei)記神光(guang)(guang)嶺地(di)名由來(lai)和地(di)藏用語。長條石兩(liang)旁各置石獅一只,高、長、寬均為(wei)137、16、47厘米,底座高、長、寬均為(wei)36、69、46厘米。雕刻(ke)于清光(guang)(guang)緒年間。
上(shang)(shang)行(xing)十(shi)余(yu)步,至(zhi)殿(dian)前,四(si)周回(hui)廊上(shang)(shang)方雕(diao)(diao)棟畫梁(liang),以(yi)仙鶴(he)、糜鹿(lu)、牡丹等珍(zhen)禽異卉雕(diao)(diao)飾,鮮(xian)艷奪目(mu)。立有(you)石柱20根。南北(bei)檐下(xia)石柱上(shang)(shang)均(jun)刻有(you)對聯,北(bei)邊石刻是:“誓度群生(sheng)離苦趣,愿放慈光(guang)轉法輪”。南邊兩聯,一(yi)曰:“福被(bei)人物(wu)無窮(qiong)盡,慧(hui)同日(ri)月常瞻依”;又一(yi)聯曰:“心同佛(fo)定香火直,目(mu)極天高(gao)海月升(sheng)”。兩聯的(de)首字,連讀是“心目(mu)福慧(hui)”,表(biao)示僧尼(ni)心目(mu)中依靠(kao)地藏、修到(dao)“福慧(hui)”二字。“慧(hui)”即(ji)覺悟成佛(fo),“福”即(ji)是佛(fo)寺興旺(wang)發達。 殿(dian)宇面(mian)闊3間(jian),進深16米,地平鋪(pu)漢白玉石。中央為1.8米高(gao)的(de)漢白玉塔基,上(shang)(shang)矗七層八方木質寶塔一(yi)座,高(gao)17米。塔的(de)每(mei)層八面(mian)背有(you)佛(fo)龕,每(mei)龕均(jun)供奉金(jin)地藏金(jin)色坐(zuo)像,供56尊,大小(xiao)不一(yi),以(yi)漆芋合塑造于清光(guang)緒(xu)十(shi)二年(nian)(nian)(1886年(nian)(nian))。
塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)基四角有(you)回柱頂梁(liang)。塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)內(nei)是地(di)藏肉身(shen)(shen)所在(zai)(zai)(zai)的3級石塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)。南北(bei)(bei)前(qian)后均供(gong)奉地(di)藏像。木(mu)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)東西兩仍(reng)分塑十殿(dian)(dian)(dian)閻羅參拜(bai)(bai)地(di)藏站像,金(jin)碧輝(hui)煌。肉身(shen)(shen)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內(nei)有(you)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta),構造罕見。塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)前(qian)懸著鏤空(kong)八角琉璃燈,不(bu)分晝夜(ye),終年燈火長明。古人吟詠此(ci)(ci)(ci)處:“神塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)輝(hui)千古,真身(shen)(shen)鎮(zhen)佛門(men)(men)”;“壯嚴寶相黃金(jin)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta),洗拂(fu)珠光白(bai)玉梯”。 塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)北(bei)(bei)門(men)(men)廊下(xia)(xia)(xia),有(you)黑底、金(jin)字的小篆橫匾,寫的是地(di)藏誓言:“眾生度(du)盡,方證菩提(ti);地(di)獄(yu)不(bu)空(kong),誓不(bu)成佛”,為(wei)北(bei)(bei)洋軍閥政府總統黎(li)元(yuan)洪所書(shu)。門(men)(men)前(qian)便是“布金(jin)勝利??有(you)一花圃,奇(qi)(qi)葩異卉(hui),與臺下(xia)(xia)(xia)嘉木(mu)爭榮,群鳥高歌,與風(feng)(feng)鈴、鐘鼓諧鳴。憑(ping)欄遠眺,山(shan)外(wai)長江如(ru)練,點點巨輪、風(feng)(feng)帆隱約可見。東望群蜂(feng)如(ru)屏(ping)(ping),俯(fu)瞰(kan)九華(hua)化城,被林木(mu)所遮;上(shang)山(shan)古道旁的香爐石、洗手亭也都隱于深(shen)山(shan)叢林之中。晨曦(xi)中,臺下(xia)(xia)(xia)云層如(ru)海(hai)(hai),稱為(wei)“云輔海(hai)(hai)”勝景(jing)。多(duo)雨季節,低(di)云布雨,云層含有(you)細(xi)微水珠,在(zai)(zai)(zai)日光照耀下(xia)(xia)(xia),銀光閃閃,又為(wei)“銀鋪海(hai)(hai)”奇(qi)(qi)觀。宋隱士羅少微在(zai)(zai)(zai)此(ci)(ci)(ci)賦(fu)詩道:“還嶺蜂(feng)頭霽(ji)色(se)清,知(zhi)微曾此(ci)(ci)(ci)學無生。鳥從青壁屏(ping)(ping)邊(bian)過,人在(zai)(zai)(zai)白(bai)云天際行。一片睛霞迎曉日,萬年松(song)檜起(qi)秋(qiu)聲。個(ge)(ge)中妙景(jing)真奇(qi)(qi)絕,寶塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)玲成最得(de)(de)名。”盛贊(zan)此(ci)(ci)(ci)地(di)所能(neng)看到的景(jing)勝。 在(zai)(zai)(zai)塔(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)北(bei)(bei)門(men)(men)外(wai)有(you)個(ge)(ge)半月形(xing)瑤臺,臺上(shang)鑄有(you)三(san)座(zuo)大鼎。其一,置(zhi)肉身(shen)(shen)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)北(bei)(bei)拜(bai)(bai)臺東側(ce),高120厘(li)(li)米,口徑109厘(li)(li)米;其二,置(zhi)肉寶殿(dian)(dian)(dian)北(bei)(bei)拜(bai)(bai)臺中,高120厘(li)(li)米,口徑109厘(li)(li)米;其三(san),置(zhi)肉身(shen)(shen)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)北(bei)(bei)拜(bai)(bai)臺西側(ce),高120厘(li)(li)米,口徑109厘(li)(li)米,此(ci)(ci)(ci)處比(bi)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)南正門(men)(men)前(qian)開(kai)闊得(de)(de)多(duo),香客(ke)多(duo)到此(ci)(ci)(ci)燒(shao)香拜(bai)(bai)佛。
殿(dian)前的東西廂房,底層均(jun)有(you)房間(jian)(jian)。入(ru)內如平(ping)(ping)步(bu)登(deng)樓(lou)。東廂數間(jian)(jian),為(wei)客(ke)(ke)堂和僧(seng)人(ren)寮房。西邊數間(jian)(jian),原為(wei)“佛(fo)(fo)教(jiao)文物(wu)陳列室”。 佛(fo)(fo)經記載,夏歷七月三(san)十(shi)日(月小二(er)(er)十(shi)九(jiu)(jiu)日)為(wei)地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)菩(pu)薩(sa)圣誕日,傳說也為(wei)金地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)成道日。歷年,九(jiu)(jiu)華山(shan)(shan)僧(seng)侶(lv)都要在(zai)肉(rou)身(shen)殿(dian)舉(ju)行(xing)重(zhong)大活動(dong),稱(cheng)“地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)法(fa)(fa)會(hui)(hui)”,誦(song)(song)《地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)菩(pu)薩(sa)本(ben)愿經》,守(shou)地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)肉(rou)身(shen)塔(ta)。法(fa)(fa)會(hui)(hui)一(yi)般歷時七天(夏歷七月三(san)十(shi)至八(ba)月初六日),圓滿之日設(she)齋供眾(zhong),廣(guang)結良(liang)緣。法(fa)(fa)會(hui)(hui)期(qi)間(jian)(jian),民間(jian)(jian)有(you)“百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)(團(tuan))”等(deng)朝(chao)(chao)山(shan)(shan)進(jin)(jin)香。百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)(團(tuan))是外地(di)(di)(di)香客(ke)(ke)為(wei)朝(chao)(chao)拜地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)菩(pu)薩(sa)道場而自動(dong)組織起來(lai)的一(yi)種(zhong)會(hui)(hui)(團(tuan)),虔心(xin)齋食,然后(hou)擔著(zhu)香擔,舉(ju)旗敲(qiao)鑼魚貫(guan)而行(xing),結體入(ru)山(shan)(shan),凡人(ren)數滿百(bai)(bai)(bai)人(ren)即可(ke)組一(yi)會(hui)(hui),稱(cheng)“百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)”。百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)設(she)香首(shou)和副(fu)香首(shou)。朝(chao)(chao)山(shan)(shan)途中(zhong)香首(shou)口誦(song)(song)“南無幽冥教(jiao)主本(ben)尊(zun)赦罪(zui)地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)王(wang)菩(pu)薩(sa)”,余(yu)眾(zhong)接誦(song)(song)“阿彌陀(tuo)佛(fo)(fo)”。 凡朝(chao)(chao)山(shan)(shan)之眾(zhong)均(jun)身(shen)著(zhu)灰布青褲(ku)或(huo)(huo)圍(wei)一(yi)黃色胸兜,上印(yin)“進(jin)(jin)山(shan)(shan)朝(chao)(chao)香”四(si)字,一(yi)路上香客(ke)(ke)還給(gei)窮苦殘(can)疾人(ren)施舍錢物(wu)。他們(men)白日徒步(bu)登(deng)山(shan)(shan),沿途遇寺(si)廟即燒香拜佛(fo)(fo),入(ru)夜(ye)后(hou)除(chu)投(tou)宿外,都聚向肉(rou)身(shen)寶(bao)(bao)殿(dian)守(shou)地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)塔(ta),攜(xie)衣巾請蓋(gai)“地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)利生(sheng)寶(bao)(bao)印(yin)”。每逢地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)菩(pu)薩(sa)誕朝(chao)(chao),僧(seng)眾(zhong)及香客(ke)(ke)于肉(rou)身(shen)塔(ta)誦(song)(song)經拜菩(pu)薩(sa)通霄達(da)旦(dan),“常見僧(seng)尼和信(xin)士一(yi)步(bu)一(yi)步(bu)跪拜塔(ta)不(bu)(bu)止,求其超度(du)亡靈,赦免罪(zui)孽,消災延壽”。百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)人(ren)數要求不(bu)(bu)很嚴格(ge),二(er)(er)、三(san)十(shi)人(ren)朝(chao)(chao)拜九(jiu)(jiu)華也可(ke)稱(cheng)“百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)”或(huo)(huo)“小百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)”,逾二(er)(er)百(bai)(bai)(bai)人(ren)或(huo)(huo)近二(er)(er)百(bai)(bai)(bai)人(ren)可(ke)稱(cheng)“雙百(bai)(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)(hui)”。與此(ci)相(xiang)應,各(ge)地(di)(di)(di)還有(you)類似(si)會(hui)(hui)(團(tuan))朝(chao)(chao)山(shan)(shan)進(jin)(jin)香,如“萬勝老(lao)會(hui)(hui)”、“香山(shan)(shan)勝會(hui)(hui)”、“同人(ren)老(lao)會(hui)(hui)”等(deng)。1978年以來(lai),九(jiu)(jiu)華山(shan)(shan)佛(fo)(fo)教(jiao)協會(hui)(hui)每年都舉(ju)行(xing)“地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)法(fa)(fa)會(hui)(hui)”或(huo)(huo)“祈禱(dao)世界和平(ping)(ping)法(fa)(fa)會(hui)(hui)”,懸掛(gua)“南無大愿地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)王(wang)菩(pu)薩(sa)法(fa)(fa)會(hui)(hui)”飄幡。來(lai)山(shan)(shan)參加(jia)地(di)(di)(di)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)法(fa)(fa)會(hui)(hui)的港澳同胞、海外僑胞、四(si)眾(zhong)弟(di)子(zi)(zi)(zi)及十(shi)方善男(nan)信(xin)女,逐年增多,同時也吸引了眾(zhong)多游(you)客(ke)(ke)。
正如宋人(ren)陳巖詩贊的(de)(de)那樣:“八(ba)十(shi)四(si)級山(shan)頭石(現為81級),風撼塔鈴半天(tian)語。五百余年(nian)地(di)藏墳,眾人(ren)都向夢(meng)中聞。”今日肉身殿,成了朝山(shan)進香(xiang)的(de)(de)香(xiang)客和游(you)覽(lan)九華的(de)(de)游(you)人(ren)的(de)(de)必(bi)到之(zhi)地(di)。