天(tian)(tian)童(tong)寺(si)(si)(si)掩映于(yu)茂林修竹間,群山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)環抱,古木參(can)天(tian)(tian)。天(tian)(tian)童(tong)寺(si)(si)(si)位(wei)于(yu)浙江(jiang)省寧(ning)波(bo)市東(dong)(dong)30公里的鄞(yin)縣東(dong)(dong)鄉太(tai)(tai)白(bai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)麓(現屬于(yu)寧(ning)波(bo)市鄞(yin)州(zhou)區東(dong)(dong)吳鎮天(tian)(tian)童(tong)村境內),是國務院確定的漢族地(di)區佛(fo)(fo)(fo)教全(quan)國重點寺(si)(si)(si)院。天(tian)(tian)童(tong)寺(si)(si)(si)創建(jian)于(yu)西晉永(yong)康元(yuan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(300年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),距今已有1700多年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)歷史,是寧(ning)波(bo)東(dong)(dong)部地(di)區著(zhu)名(ming)的兩大古代寺(si)(si)(si)廟(miao)之一(yi)(另(ling)一(yi)座為阿育王寺(si)(si)(si))。僧人義興云游至南山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)之東(dong)(dong)谷(gu),見(jian)此(ci)地(di)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)明(ming)水(shui)秀,遂(sui)結茅修持(chi)(chi)(chi),當時(shi)有童(tong)子日(ri)奉薪水(shui),臨辭時(shi)自(zi)稱是“太(tai)(tai)白(bai)金星”化身,受(shou)玉帝(di)(di)派遣(qian)前來護持(chi)(chi)(chi)。自(zi)此(ci)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)名(ming)“太(tai)(tai)白(bai)”,寺(si)(si)(si)曰(yue)“天(tian)(tian)童(tong)”。唐(tang)開元(yuan)二十年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(732年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),法璇(xuan)禪(chan)(chan)師(shi)建(jian)太(tai)(tai)白(bai)精舍,后人稱之為“古天(tian)(tian)童(tong)”。至德(de)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(757年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),宗弼禪(chan)(chan)師(shi)將寺(si)(si)(si)遷到太(tai)(tai)白(bai)峰下,即今寺(si)(si)(si)址。乾元(yuan)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(759年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),肅宗賜(si)名(ming)為“天(tian)(tian)童(tong)玲瓏寺(si)(si)(si)。”咸通十年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(869年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),唐(tang)懿宗敕賜(si)“天(tian)(tian)壽寺(si)(si)(si)”名(ming)。景德(de)四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1007年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),宋(song)真(zhen)宗敕賜(si)“天(tian)(tian)童(tong)景德(de)禪(chan)(chan)寺(si)(si)(si)”額。寺(si)(si)(si)僧惟(wei)白(bai)多次與(yu)神宗皇帝(di)(di)研討佛(fo)(fo)(fo)理(li),宋(song)徽宗敕賜(si)他“佛(fo)(fo)(fo)國禪(chan)(chan)師(shi)”稱號,并御書天(tian)(tian)童(tong)景德(de)寺(si)(si)(si)惟(wei)白(bai)續燈錄序。建(jian)炎三年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1129年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),曹洞(dong)宗著(zhu)名(ming)禪(chan)(chan)師(shi)正覺(1091—1157)住持(chi)(chi)(chi),住山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)30年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),弘傳曹洞(dong)宗教義,倡導“默(mo)照禪(chan)(chan)”。1134年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian),寺(si)(si)(si)內修建(jian)容納千(qian)人僧堂(tang),繼(ji)而擴大山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)門(men)為佛(fo)(fo)(fo)閣(ge)(ge)(ge),內供千(qian)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)。中建(jian)盧舍那閣(ge)(ge)(ge),置(zhi)五(wu)十三善(shan)智識像,稱“千(qian)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)閣(ge)(ge)(ge)”。
天(tian)童(tong)寺四周群(qun)山峻嶺環抱,山林(lin)多姿,風(feng)(feng)光(guang)靈秀,附近有天(tian)童(tong)森林(lin),寺前有參天(tian)古松(song)成行伴(ban)道,崇樓杰閣(ge)相(xiang)映,更有深徑回松(song)、風(feng)(feng)崗修竹、清關噴雪、雙池(chi)印景等十大勝景點(dian)綴(zhui)其(qi)間,徜徉欣賞之余,令人(ren)想起宋代大詩人(ren)王安石贊美天(tian)童(tong)寺的(de)詩篇:“村村桑(sang)拓綠浮空,春日(ri)鶯啼(ti)谷幾風(feng)(feng);二十里(li)松(song)林(lin)欲(yu)盡,青山捧(peng)出梵王宮(gong)。”詩人(ren)將風(feng)(feng)光(guang)旖旎(ni)的(de)天(tian)童(tong)寺地理位置形象地點(dian)活了。
少(shao)(shao)白(bai)嶺是去天童寺參觀游(you)覽必經之地。少(shao)(shao)白(bai)嶺上建有五佛鎮蟒塔,俗稱少(shao)(shao)白(bai)塔。相(xiang)傳唐會昌(chang)年間(841-846年)有(you)巨(ju)蟒作崇,吞噬行人,心鏡禪師(shi)以石(shi)饅頭誘殺除害,鎮于塔下,故俗(su)稱鐵(tie)蛇(she)關(guan)。
是天(tian)童十景(jing)之(zhi)一(yi)。從伏虎亭(ting)至景(jing)倩亭(ting)約1.5公里,深(shen)徑兩側,千年蒼松,直刺青天。南宋袁奎(kui)詩云:“太白峰前三十里,古(gu)松夾道(dao)(dao)奏竽笙;清(qing)輝秀(xiu)色交相映,未羨山(shan)陰道(dao)(dao)上行。”
在寺東山腳幽徑旁,有一片翠綠竹(zhu)林,遮蔽(bi)云天,山風起(qi)時,秀竹(zhu)婆娑弄影。傳說(shuo)曾有鳳來儀(yi),故稱(cheng)“鳳崗修(xiu)竹”,也(ye)是“天童(tong)十景”之一(yi)。盛夏來此,清(qing)涼沁人。在此路(lu)上(shang)(shang)還有(you)清(qing)關橋(qiao),山上(shang)(shang)之水匯聚于(yu)萬工池流(liu)經清(qing)關橋(qiao)注入溪(xi)流(liu)中。每當大雨過后,橋(qiao)下溪(xi)流(liu)飛(fei)濺(jian),噴涌似雪團,與萬松、鐵蛇合稱(cheng)“天童(tong)三關”。此處也(ye)是“天童(tong)十景”之一(yi),稱(cheng)“清(qing)關噴雪”。
是指天(tian)童寺(si)前的內外兩個萬工池(chi)(chi),舊為(wei)放生(sheng)池(chi)(chi)。池(chi)(chi)水(shui)清澈,碧瓦朱墻倒映入池(chi)(chi),更添佳趣,池(chi)(chi)上方有(you)琵(pi)琶石(shi),以足(zu)頓之,鏗鏘發音如琵(pi)琶聲(sheng)。這(zhe)也是“天童十景”之一,就是“雙(shuang)池印景”。
天童(tong)寺據(ju)寧(ning)波(bo)市區約30公里(li),乘公交(jiao)車需75-90分鐘左右(you)。游客可事先乘車到寧(ning)波(bo)汽車東(dong)站(zhan),然后向西北方步行約100米(可在附(fu)近打聽一下(xia))到寧(ning)波(bo)公交(jiao)福明站(zhan)(世紀大道旁),在此(ci)乘坐前往天童(tong)寺的直達車空調162路(約10-15分鐘一班),票價3元。
寧波汽車(che)東站(zhan)附近(jin)的(de)福明公(gong)交站(zhan)乘162路至天童站(zhan)下車(che),往山上步行1.4公(gong)里即是(shi)。車(che)程約1小時。
(1)舟山方(fang)向(xiang)前(qian)來:經(jing)甬舟高速(su)(舟山跨海大橋(qiao))在(zai)(zai)蛟川互通(tong)轉(zhuan)入寧波(bo)繞城(cheng)高速(su)東(dong)段(北侖、金華、象山方(fang)向(xiang)),在(zai)(zai)五鄉(xiang)互通(tong)轉(zhuan)北侖方(fang)向(xiang),在(zai)(zai)育王出(chu)口下(xia)高速(su),轉(zhuan)向(xiang)東(dong)南(出(chu)門(men)右轉(zhuan)),經(jing)少白嶺(ling)隧(sui)道后(hou),根據旅(lv)游提(ti)示,轉(zhuan)向(xiang)路左邊即(ji)可。
(2)杭州(zhou)前來:經杭甬高速,過寧波東出(chu)口后,沿(yan)同三(san)高速直行(北(bei)侖方向(xiang)),由育王出(chu)口下(xia)即可,其(qi)余與上同。
(3)上海/嘉(jia)興方向前來:經杭州灣跨(kua)海大橋高速,在(zai)寧(ning)波(bo)北(bei)沿寧(ning)波(bo)繞(rao)城高速轉舟山方向,在(zai)蛟(jiao)川(chuan)互通轉北(bei)侖方向,其余與舟山方向同。
(4)溫州、臺州方(fang)向前來:經甬臺溫高速(su),在育王出口下高速(su)。
(5)由(you)金華(hua)方向前來:經甬金高速(su),在寧波西出口(kou)轉寧波繞城高速(su),朝北侖方向,在育王出口(kou)下(xia)高速(su)。
(6)由通途路在東(dong)外環路口,轉向(xiang)南方,經寧穿路,在沙堰村路口轉向(xiang)東(dong)南,根據指示行車即可(ke)。
(7)沿鄞(yin)縣大道(橫(街)少(白)線(xian))一直向東,過三溪浦水庫后即(ji)達。
西晉(jin)永康年(公元(yuan)300年),僧人(ren)義興云游(you)至揚(yang)州部會郡縣(即(ji)今鄞州)南山(shan)之東谷,因愛(ai)其山(shan)水(shui),遂在(zai)此(ci)結(jie)茅(mao)修持。相傳,當時東谷附(fu)近并無人(ren)煙,卻有一位童(tong)(tong)子(zi)(zi)每天前來送給薪水(shui)。不(bu)久精(jing)舍(she)建成,童(tong)(tong)子(zi)(zi)對義興大師說:我是太白金(jin)星,因為(wei)大師篤于道行(xing),感動玉帝(di),命我化為(wei)童(tong)(tong)子(zi)(zi)前來護持左右(you)。如今大功告成,特(te)此(ci)告辭(ci)。言訖童(tong)(tong)子(zi)(zi)不(bu)見。由此(ci)山(shan)名(ming)太白,寺名(ming)天童(tong)(tong)。
元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)大德三年(nian)(公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)1301年(nian)),成(cheng)宗帝(di)賜千佛閣(ge)為朝(chao)(chao)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)寶(bao)閣(ge),后(hou)毀(hui)。至正十九年(nian)(公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)1359年(nian)),元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)良(liang)禪師(shi)重建朝(chao)(chao)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)寶(bao)閣(ge),鑄(zhu)萬銅佛供于閣(ge)中,閣(ge)旁增(zeng)置二樓,左鴻鐘,右(you)輪藏,煙云(yun)(yun)繚繞,金碧輝煌。有詩贊曰:“云(yun)(yun)從太白山頭起,香自朝(chao)(chao)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)閣(ge)上(shang)飄(piao)”。至正二十年(nian)(公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)1360年(nian)),順(shun)帝(di)敕賜元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)良(liang)禪師(shi)“善覺普光祥(xiang)師(shi)”號。
清(qing)順治十(shi)(shi)六年(nian)(nian)(nian)(公(gong)(gong)元(yuan)1659年(nian)(nian)(nian)),世(shi)祖帝(di)召(zhao)寺僧(seng)道(dao)忞進(jin)就敕諭,并賜(si)(si)(si)三(san)(san)衣(yi)、黃衣(yi)、緣(yuan)云(yun)緞袍各一(yi)(yi)襲(xi)。次(ci)年(nian)(nian)(nian)賜(si)(si)(si)帑金(jin)千兩命重修佛殿,敕封道(dao)忞“弘覺禪(chan)師”號,并賜(si)(si)(si)銀印(yin)一(yi)(yi)顆,重40兩,方(fang)(fang)(fang)廣三(san)(san)寸許(xu),右為漢篆“弘覺禪(chan)師之印(yin)”,左鐫滿文一(yi)(yi)行(xing),賜(si)(si)(si)三(san)(san)衣(yi),五衣(yi)、七衣(yi)、黃祖衣(yi),宮道(dao)袍、沉香色道(dao)袍及千衲衣(yi)、夾衣(yi)等。御書僧(seng)詩一(yi)(yi)首(shou),曰:“心(xin)隨(sui)萬(wan)境轉(zhuan),轉(zhuan)處實能幽;隨(sui)流認得性,無喜(xi)亦(yi)無忱。”康熙四十(shi)(shi)四年(nian)(nian)(nian)(公(gong)(gong)元(yuan)1709年(nian)(nian)(nian)),圣祖帝(di)敕賜(si)(si)(si)天童(tong)寺御書金(jin)字心(xin)經寶塔一(yi)(yi)幅(fu),旁記(ji)康熙歲次(ci)乙(yi)酉二月南巡舟中書。五月又賜(si)(si)(si)金(jin)字心(xin)經一(yi)(yi)卷、僧(seng)詩一(yi)(yi)幅(fu)、白綾(ling)四條。雍正十(shi)(shi)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)(公(gong)(gong)元(yuan)1733年(nian)(nian)(nian)),世(shi)宗帝(di)賜(si)(si)(si)御書“慈(ci)云(yun)密布”匾額及柱聯、贊釋迦、觀(guan)音(yin)偈各一(yi)(yi)。光緒(xu)二十(shi)(shi)八年(nian)(nian)(nian)(公(gong)(gong)元(yuan)1902年(nian)(nian)(nian)),寄(ji)禪(chan)和(he)尚住(zhu)持(chi)后,將(jiang)十(shi)(shi)方(fang)(fang)(fang)叢(cong)林(lin)住(zhu)持(chi)繼承(cheng)制(zhi)度改為十(shi)(shi)方(fang)(fang)(fang)選賢制(zhi)度,稱為選賢叢(cong)林(lin),這種(zhong)制(zhi)度是叢(cong)林(lin)住(zhu)持(chi)史上的一(yi)(yi)個進(jin)步(bu)。
新中國成立后,天童(tong)禪(chan)寺(si)得到(dao)了人(ren)民政府(fu)保護(hu),僧(seng)眾早晚功課,威儀整(zheng)肅,參禪(chan)念佛,不廢古規。同時(shi)發(fa)揚“農禪(chan)并(bing)重”優(you)良傳統(tong),參加農業(ye)生產勞動。1966年“文化大(da)革命”開始,不久寺(si)院(yuan)移(yi)作它用,佛像被(bei)毀(hui)。1979年經(jing)國務(wu)院(yuan)批準(zhun)并(bing)撥(bo)款進(jin)行修復(fu),古寺(si)重輝,法炬(ju)復(fu)燃,全(quan)寺(si)僧(seng)眾晨鐘暮鼓,誦(song)經(jing)禮佛;參禪(chan)悟道,紹隆三寶,如法如律(lv)地進(jin)行宗教(jiao)活(huo)動。