Fu Gui Nirvana and Fu Gui Shan Zhuang approximately covers a century of artistic activities in the child of Prince Gong’s Mansion. The study of Fu Gui’s vast artistic and intellectual world has a long history, especially in the field of Chinese art history. Nonetheless, the attempts have always been scattered and fragmented. This essay aspires to provide some new information and ideas by presenting a more coherent picture of a certain period in the history. It goes without saying that it is still far from a definitive study. Limited by the quality and quantity of the material available, as well as the writer’s own knowledge, the essay naturally has its inadequacies. More or less, it is a kind of exploratory pilot study, prompted by unexpected discovery of primary sources about an intriguing part of Chinese art history.
Fu Gui Nirvana
Fu Gui Nirvana found great favor with the literati, and it was due to the landscape gardener’s ardent admiration of their lifestyle. Liang Jingyu, in a poem inscribed on a stele, stated, “Who says the village of T’ao Ch’ien no longer exists! A fresh reincarnation, this Fu Gui is identical.” This is the garden in the words of the literati and gentry. When I mentioned the artistry in Hong Kong and the South Seas, it is spoken more as an interesting anecdote. Ask any educated Chinese who is conversant with his literature and history, and who has observed his countrymen and the qualities of native art, which type of garden attracts him most, I am certain he will reply with thought, “The literati’s garden with its ideal of beauty in natural seclusion.” He may be more as an interesting anecdote. Ask any educated Chinese who is conversant with his literature and history and these places where the scholar retired to escape the complexities of officialdom. Where is the garden that can be called an equivalent of the life of the Chinese literatus of the classical epoch and the Daoists and the puritans in their conception of a cloister in the Western world? These great ones have passed and left no tangible record of their life’s work in these retreats, and yet to the learned and cultured Chinese, there is still a spirit of legend about these places: Tai Shan, the officialdom of Emperor Wang Eun, T’ao Ch’ien, and Su Tungpo. These were the idealists in the art of life, and they have been the early day romantics and romanticists of Neo-Confucianism and the Chinese Renaissance. The garden to them was a place to follow the nature faith, and it was an expression of the poet philosopher’s interpretation of the good life. It was epochs of change and of a new spirit in their respective days, but the ruination of their national culture by the yoking of alien dynasties must have brought a melancholy regret, and their thoughts turned to an ideal of another age in the past. It was really an ascetic impulse that T’ao Ch’ien of the Dong Chin age, whose life with all its harass and disasters had remained superficially a complacent and a useful one, once expressed repentance that he had no time to cultivate the eight desolate plots of Yu and Ki, and the nine years of the literati did only buy Su Tungpo a post of banishment and exile from the Sung’s statesman for the backdoor chance of his rehabilitation.
Fu Gui Shan Zhuang
Fu Gui Shan Zhuang is located in Xiang Fu hill, nearby Yangzhou. East of the house lies the Lingshan Temple and west of it lies the Longyang Pond, whose bridge links to the Lingshan Temple. Although the house was owned by She Zhong Tang, but before he moved into Yangzhou, he rented out his Zhuang to Mei Dan and did not take any profits made from renting the Zhuang to Mei then. Mei Dan was a good friend of She and also a well-known hermit poet. During his absence from the Zhuang, She Zhong Tang ordered Mei Dan to write several stelae for him. One of the steles was inscribed “Green cloud overhangs” (qingyun zai), where She’s nickname came from. That nickname became known with this particular stele and was later used by some people as a name of the Zhuang. This Zhuang was rarely written by historians. Nevertheless, we can still trace how slow-paced and peaceful life in Jiangnan is, through the life of She Zhong Tang and Mei Dan. A good Zhuang was able to attract a good man and as time runs, this good man may be able to write some literature showing the beauty and peacefulness of his life in the Zhuang. This Zhuang was the continuation of the heritage of Chinese literati and also the heritage of Chinese literature.
Fu Gui Shan Zhuang was a house lived in by She Zhong Tang, a middle-ranking official from the Song dynasty. This house was given to him as a gift from a friend. He stayed in this house for 30 years until the Jurchen’s sacking of the northern Song dynasty.
Promotions
In conjunction with our grand opening of the new business outlet, we are providing a few exclusive packages to our customers. These exclusive packages are specially designed to meet the different health needs of our customers. The packages are valid for 3 months from the launch of the new outlet. We offer a special discount of 65% to the first ten customers for each package per month. These packages should be paid in advance, and we are giving an extra 5 treatment sessions for the advance payment. Besides that, we also provide extra treatment sessions for any package paid in advance. Each week, we are giving a special discount to senior citizens and children for any treatment sessions. In addition, we are also going to organize a few health talks and live demos, and free food therapy trials by professionals to create public awareness of our centre.
Fu Gui Nirvana is a wellness centre focusing on providing spa services and health therapy to its customers. We provide primitive Chinese natural therapy, which consists of water therapy, fire therapy, food therapy, qi gong, and tui na therapy. Besides that, we also provide modern therapy like head massage, body massage, foot reflexology, pedicure, manicure, and facial treatment. Our business is run with great effort and dedication to help the local and foreign customers. Our centre is strategically located near the beach at Batu Ferringhi and easily found by the customers.
Exclusive Packages
Fu Gui Shan Zhuang has established a few key strategies in an effort to obtain its goal of attracting more residents. Firstly, the company will introduce an exclusive package which includes chalets equipped with personal pools and themed gardens where residents have the option of 3 designs. The land size is approximately 3300 to 4000 square feet with built-up areas of 2500 square feet. Each design differs in layout and internal fittings, designed to meet the needs and requirements of various customers. Prices are around RM390,000 for a year of landscaping maintenance. Residents can also opt for the landscaping upkeep package for just RM28,800 for a year. With this feature, we hope to provide the most excellent service to our residents and to every bit of Fu Gui Shan Zhuang. Secondly, there will be a special rebate offered during festive seasons. The rebate totaling 2-3% off the purchasing price of the home is eligible during Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali, and Christmas. This tactic is used to attract customers during their festive seasons and hopefully with this, they will be able to own their dream home.
Special Discounts
Fu Gui Nirvana and Fu Gui Shan Zhuang are also offering different discounts beside the exclusive packages. Special discounts for senior citizens, students, youths, government staff, and also for frequent visitors. Special discount for senior citizens is 30%. The purpose is for them to enjoy the relaxation and rejuvenation of body and soul at our spas. While for students, they will get a direct discount of 25%. The reason we give a higher discount for students is because we believe that this is the most stressful period in their life preparing for their future. This is the best time for them to release their tension and have a full relaxation. But we do need a simple verification either from a lecturer or student card from the students before the discount can be given. For government staff, we offer a discount for a single treatment at any of our spas which is 20%. This is the easiest way for them to try our services. And if they feel satisfied, they can try another treatment with the same discount for the next visit. We very appreciate their contribution and the purpose we give this special discount is to show them that we also care about our government staff who always work hard. Next, for the youths, a 25% discount for the adventure and entertainment seekers. This is the perfect time for them to release the tiring feeling after having a trip or from doing vigorous activities. And for those who have already visited our spas 5 times in a two-month period, they will be given a special frequent visitor discount. The discount offers double the value of the last treatment that they had, either it’s a single treatment or any packages. This is our gratitude to all our customers who give unlimited support to any of our spas with our best services. We hope they will always feel satisfied with our services and we are still their first choice. And it is also an appreciation to all our customers for trusting and believing in our services. We also appreciate all the feedback that has been given by our customers towards our services and our therapies. By giving these special discounts, we are trying to fulfill what the customer expectations are on our spas. This is the best way for us to say thank you.
Limited Time Offers
Limited time offers are generally in slightly reduced price promotions. The selling point, however, is in the fact that it is a good deal, but one that is very short-lived. People are more likely to make a purchase if they think that they are getting a very good deal, and by limiting the time on the offer, you push them into making a decision quicker rather than later. This is a very effective method of promotion, as it can help to maximize revenue by promoting sales during specific periods. An example of a time-specific offer could be a ticket vendor selling a concert ticket for a reduced price, but only for a couple of days before the price goes back up, or a software company selling a product at a discount if they purchase before a specific deadline. This concept, however, is not very suitable for high-priced products with long sales cycles. If a product is due to be discounted, potential prospects may be inclined to delay purchasing until the product goes on sale. In the meantime, the company would have missed out on revenue that they would have otherwise made. They also run the risk of devaluing the product in the customer’s eyes, who may be more likely to think that there is something wrong with the product if it is being sold at a lower price.
Benefits of Fu Gui Nirvana and Fu Gui Shan Zhuang
Fu Gui Nirvana improves a person’s general well-being. This can be seen from the vibrant and active elderly individuals who moved into Fu Gui Shan Zhuang since its opening. They have displayed an increase in energy levels and general physical health, while maintaining their sense of independence. Subsequently, the increase in physical health has led to an increase in mental health for many individuals who have forged great friendships through their leisure activities in Fu Gui Shan Zhuang. This is ideal in sustaining the livelihood and well-being of our elderly population.
A study that compared the sleep quality of 100 elderly individuals in a nearby old folk’s home to another 100 elderly participants who moved into Fu Gui Shan Zhuang showed a significant increase in sleep quality after the move. The participants who did not move experienced a decrease in sleep quality, while the participants who moved into Fu Gui Shan Zhuang showed great improvement in their sleep quality. From this, it can be clearly seen that the environment plays a very important role in sleep quality and with the peaceful and serene surroundings of Fu Gui Shan Zhuang, our residents are sure to benefit from it.
Enhanced Well-being
The enigmatic nature of Fu Gui Nirvana has much to offer to the visitor. Unlike other holiday destinations, it’s a rare place that provides holiday satisfaction in an inexplicable way. It is guaranteed that upon returning to one’s home country after a visit to Fu Gui, the traveler feels healthier (“fresher”) both mentally and physically, or as we could say… rejuvenated. The atmosphere and climate in Fu Gui is ideal, with an annual temperature between 16-25°C and the absence of cold fronts in winter. This, coupled with a pollution-free environment due to minimal traffic and industries in the area, as well as the remarkable natural surroundings, there’s no doubt one will experience an increase in physical well-being. Taking into account the ideal climate, environment, and the thermal hot spring water, an increased sense of physical well-being is inevitable. The thermal hot spring water located near to and within the vicinity of the resort is considered to be rare. Coming from a source 1000m underground, the temperature of the water is between 45-50°C and contains a high mineral content. This is rare calcium-sodium bicarbonate type water, said to be an unusual kind of thermal hot spring exclusive to Japan, China, and the United States, with less than 20 locations in Japan hosting this type of water. The water is somewhat slimy on the skin, due to the content of sodium silicate, and creates a smooth feeling upon cleaning the body. Calcium ions in the water promote the action of the skin, as well as the ions and weakly alkaline nature of the water aids in the prevention of various types of dermatitis. The water can also aid in easing muscle pain, neuralgia, relieving fatigue, and promoting recovery from illness, due to its insulation effects, promoting an overall general sense of well-being. With this in mind, the hot spring will be considered a place with high medical value, supporting a relaxation retreat. An architect once described this water as being “the best thing to have near a bath”. And of course, with the establishment of such baths in the vicinity of the resort and sea, the attraction of this hot spring water is open to the use of the general public. With all these hot springs being located in an untouched natural area and easily accessed, with some being national parks, it provides an ideal environment to create a health resort catering for young and old. The hot spring facilities will also be an attraction to outsiders during the winter and the Chinese New Year period, which is usually a slack season for the local inhabitants.
Spiritual Enlightenment
Spiritual enlightenment can simply be described as achieving a better understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. It is a state of awakening from the long dream of materialism. According to the sutras, our Buddha nature is equated with our mind. Once a person is awakened, he will be able to tap into his mind properly and allow the virtues of his Buddha nature to shine forth. Lord Buddha told Mahamati in the Lankavatara Sutra that there are two kinds of awakening. The first is the initial awakening to the truth and reality that things are devoid of birth and that there are also no defilements. This awakening is also called the fruit awakening. The second kind of awakening is obtained through the method of intuitive understanding when the yogi experiences the truth and becomes one with reality. It is at this stage that thoughts are not even necessary and it is known as the non-discriminative awakening. It is only with a sharp mind and spiritual wit that it is possible to attain the second awakening, as the truth is intangible and unchanging. By practicing the Noble Eightfold Path taught by Lord Buddha, one will be able to achieve these awakenings. Over time, when practitioners have a better understanding of their practice, enlightenment will come to them gradually.
Inner Peace
Researchers and historians alike created an astounding theory as to what Kakure Kirishitan life might have been like. Those who converted to Christianity in the 16th and 17th centuries found themselves suffering due to discrimination, persecution, and prohibition of their religion. These Kakure Kirishitan constructed a faith-based utopian society; it was believed that they established primitive communal living in an attempt to replicate the early days of Christianity. Under Tokugawa, no leeway was given to Christianity, therefore one can infer that it was a rather trying and difficult time for the Kakure. So, a small and simple tanagura-zukuri church structure built in the forest-covered hills far from the eyes of the Tokugawa regime could quite possibly be the exact visual depiction of Fu Gui Shan Zhuang. Hidden and remote, yet spiritual and utopian, the model Kakure Kirishitan society. Written accounts suggest that this specific society bears a strong resemblance to the SW islands in Minami-Shimabara, in which case it must be no coincidence that the island is located nearby rumored church sites in Fukae. Cause and effect leads to the conclusion that this is another important time marker in the history of Kakure Kirishitan in Japan. When asking a Japanese informant where he would find inner peace in Christianity, the response was, “You never feel as if you are a detriment to other people or society, Christianity sits well on those who feel guiltless.” Due to the religious persecution and the hardships endured by the Kakure, one will have to wonder if the tanagura-zukuri church to them was the closest thing to guiltless in the era of underground Christianity.
