Jizu Mountain, called "A Mountain with Spirit, Capital of Buddhism", is one of the most famous Buddhist mountains in China, and is privileged with a 2,500 year long history. The name Jizu Mountain literally means Chicken Foot Mountain, and got its name after its shape. Jizu Mountain is located in the territory of Binchuan County, Dali prefecture, Northwest of Yunnan on the Guizhou plateau. It is 376 kilometers east from Kunming, 56 kilometers north from Xiaguan, and 3,249 kilometers above sea level.
Renowned in south and southeast Asia as a Buddhist pilgrimage since Carye, disciple of Sakyamuni, settled down here, this mountain has been known as early as the middle of the Ming Dynasty and has enjoyed fame on the same level as Ermei Mountain, Wutai Mountain, Jiuhua Mountain, and Putuo Mountain. Jizu is one of the most beautiful and intriguing mountains in the world, with temples nestled among ancient trees that reach to touch the sky, smoke spiraling lazily upwards, generations after generations of Buddhist monk masters, and visitors and scholars coming and going frequently.
Buddhism was strong in the Ming Dynasty, and during this time, Jizu Mountain had eight big temples, 34 small temples, 65 nun's temples, and over 1000 studies. Thousands of monks called the mountain their home, and several emperors of the Ming Dynasty sent Buddhist scriptures to Jizu Mountain. In the 31st year of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, Master Xu Yun came to the mountain and spent a huge sum of money raised at home and abroad to rebuild Boyu Temple. So Carye temple was once again popular despite its regression. In the 32nd year of Daoguang Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, (1906). Emperor Guangxu renamed Boyu Temple as State-Guardian Zhusheng Temple. He also gave a lot of gifts such as the Dragon Scripture, Golden Horse Riders, stick of Emperor, purple monk's robe, Tolls, Seals. Aluminum Stick, and Self Massager to the Temple and honored Master Xuyun as the "Master of Buddhist Scripture".
