世傳晚唐道(dao)士(shi)施肩吾(即(ji)華陽真(zhen)人)曾(ceng)(ceng)一度由洪都(今(jin)南(nan)昌)西山來(lai)到(dao)贛(gan)(gan)(gan)州,與真(zhen)人劉繼先共同修(xiu)(xiu)持(chi)(chi)(chi)于此觀(guan)(guan)(guan)。宋治平年間(jian)(1064~1066)英(ying)(ying)宗(zong)曾(ceng)(ceng)賜觀(guan)(guan)(guan)額,明永樂年間(jian)(1403~1423)翰林學(xue)士(shi)解縉曾(ceng)(ceng)書(shu)“玉(yu)(yu)虛觀(guan)(guan)(guan)”額。明初,劉淵(yuan)然(ran)(贛(gan)(gan)(gan)縣區人)大(da)真(zhen)人將此觀(guan)(guan)(guan)立(li)為(wei)(wei)修(xiu)(xiu)持(chi)(chi)(chi)之地,遺(yi)下(xia)四代(即(ji)劉淵(yuan)然(ran)、劉繼先、劉明清(qing)、劉子英(ying)(ying))修(xiu)(xiu)持(chi)(chi)(chi)立(li)功。修(xiu)(xiu)持(chi)(chi)(chi)名(ming)(ming)曰:“上士(shi)修(xiu)(xiu)持(chi)(chi)(chi),升(sheng)為(wei)(wei)天(tian)宮(gong);中士(shi)修(xiu)(xiu)持(chi)(chi)(chi),南(nan)宮(gong)立(li)仙;下(xia)士(shi)修(xiu)(xiu)持(chi)(chi)(chi),在世長年”。觀(guan)(guan)(guan)內建(jian)有(you)丹爐、丹臺(tai)和丹井。當時玉(yu)(yu)虛觀(guan)(guan)(guan)由皇帝(di)御封道(dao)官掌管(guan)(guan),并(bing)受(shou)龍虎(hu)山張(zhang)天(tian)師(shi)節治。清(qing)代,劉子英(ying)(ying)道(dao)士(shi)設玉(yu)(yu)虛觀(guan)(guan)(guan)為(wei)(wei)府觀(guan)(guan)(guan),掌管(guan)(guan)贛(gan)(gan)(gan)南(nan)道(dao)教(jiao)事務;立(li)陰陽學(xue)執(zhi)管(guan)(guan)道(dao)綱(gang),焦道(dao)士(shi)主(zhu)持(chi)(chi)(chi)觀(guan)(guan)(guan)內陰陽法事功課。民(min)國時期,在此興(xing)辦(ban)小學(xue)。解放后(hou)(hou),仍為(wei)(wei)水(shui)東小學(xue)用地。1985年贛(gan)(gan)(gan)州市政府決定(ding)折價(jia)歸還(huan),1989年在水(shui)東萬松(song)山(又(you)名(ming)(ming)仙山)重(zhong)建(jian)玉(yu)(yu)虛觀(guan)(guan)(guan),并(bing)由方(fang)業儒道(dao)長負責籌(chou)建(jian)工作。1990年6月竣工后(hou)(hou)經(jing)批準開(kai)放,由方(fang)業儒任主(zhu)持(chi)(chi)(chi)。同年農歷7月7日,方(fang)業儒主(zhu)持(chi)(chi)(chi)隆重(zhong)的(de)玉(yu)(yu)虛觀(guan)(guan)(guan)開(kai)光慶典(dian)。出席慶典(dian)的(de)有(you)宗(zong)教(jiao)界人士(shi)和信(xin)(xin)教(jiao)群(qun)眾300多人。開(kai)光之后(hou)(hou),先后(hou)(hou)接(jie)待北(bei)京、上海(hai)、福建(jian)、廣東、香(xiang)港(gang)、臺(tai)灣、美國等海(hai)內外道(dao)教(jiao)信(xin)(xin)士(shi)3000多人次。
新建玉(yu)虛觀(guan)為(wei)(wei)一棟二層樓(lou)的殿(dian)堂(tang),樓(lou)下正廳(ting)是三(san)清(qing)官(guan)(guan),上書“清(qing)絕(jue)塵囂贛南無(wu)雙福地,高凌(ling)云漢虔州第一仙山”。三(san)清(qing)圣像兩旁列有四(si)位神像:左為(wei)(wei)朱(zhu)元帥(shuai)、王靈官(guan)(guan);右為(wei)(wei)馬天君(jun)、殷元帥(shuai)。三(san)清(qing)官(guan)(guan)左為(wei)(wei)“宗(zong)師堂(tang)”,右為(wei)(wei)“追思(si)堂(tang)”。樓(lou)上:中為(wei)(wei)天師殿(dian)(供(gong)(gong)張道陵),左為(wei)(wei)萬壽宮(供(gong)(gong)許遜(xun)),右為(wei)(wei)純陽(yang)殿(dian)(供(gong)(gong)呂洞(dong)賓)。后樓(lou)下為(wei)(wei)財神殿(dian)。玉(yu)虛觀(guan)已成為(wei)(wei)贛州地區道眾的活動中心。
觀門(men)(men)為八卦形石(shi)(shi)門(men)(men),兩(liang)側(ce)石(shi)(shi)刻楹聯,文(wen)曰:“三清古道(dao)千秋業(ye),四要玄機(ji)萬世師。”兩(liang)尊(zun)青石(shi)(shi)雄(xiong)獅(shi)踞(ju)立兩(liang)旁,狀似諦聽(ting)鐘聲,縱覽(lan)云海。朱(zhu)(zhu)紅圍墻,上書“德配天地,道(dao)法(fa)自然”。進(jin)玉虛(xu)觀即至觀內正(zheng)殿(dian)(dian)葛(ge)(ge)仙(xian)殿(dian)(dian)(又名(ming)太極(ji)殿(dian)(dian))。八卦門(men)(men)正(zheng)中上方仿(fang)宋書“大葛(ge)(ge)仙(xian)殿(dian)(dian)”。殿(dian)(dian)深29.2米(mi),寬17.0米(mi),建筑面積(ji)576平方米(mi)。大殿(dian)(dian)前后三進(jin),正(zheng)中有24根朱(zhu)(zhu)紅圓柱落地,柱礎為八角(jiao)形石(shi)(shi)雕。人字形遞(di)進(jin)式五層木(mu)板倒壁。宏制巧構,寬敞堂皇;雕梁(liang)畫(hua)棟(dong),朱(zhu)(zhu)漆描金。棟(dong)、梁(liang)上浮雕為道(dao)家神(shen)仙(xian)故事和(he)“九龍(long)仰(yang)香爐”等圖案,寓“九龍(long)竄(cuan)頂”之意。
大(da)(da)(da)殿屋項(xiang)系鑄鐵(tie)瓦(wa),鐵(tie)瓦(wa)長(chang)(chang)方形(xing)翹頭,每(mei)塊長(chang)(chang)40厘(li)(li)米(mi),寬24厘(li)(li)米(mi)。鐵(tie)瓦(wa)有(you)兩類,在翹頭上(shang)一鑄“大(da)(da)(da)葛(ge)仙(xian)”三字,一鑄“名山”兩字中(zhong)夾牡(mu)丹。此瓦(wa)系1939年大(da)(da)(da)殿火(huo)毀后重建時,為防火(huo)患及大(da)(da)(da)風而鑄造。殿上(shang)方有(you)神(shen)龕(kan)(kan)高(gao)4.0米(mi),寬4.4米(mi)。滾龍(long)抱柱長(chang)(chang)方形(xing)匾額(e)紅底金字,題曰(yue)“太極(ji)左(zuo)宮”,匾額(e)四周(zhou)雕盤金龍(long),匾額(e)頂(ding)部懸(xuan)雕一描(miao)金展大(da)(da)(da)鵬鳥(niao)。龕(kan)(kan)兩側(ce)有(you)聯:“葛(ge)水長(chang)(chang)流神(shen)澤達,仙(xian)山持立圣光明。”神(shen)龕(kan)(kan)正中(zhong)端(duan)坐“葛(ge)仙(xian)翁(weng)(weng)”神(shen)像,金面、黑須,雙目平視(shi),頭戴雙翅搭肩宰(zai)相帽,身(shen)著(zhu)金絲蟒袍系玉(yu)帶,其后有(you)仙(xian)翁(weng)(weng)立行像,裝束神(shen)態與坐像相同。
神龕兩(liang)(liang)旁(pang)站立(li)彩(cai)塑(su)馬(靈(ling)耀)、趙(公明)、溫(瓊)、關(guan)(羽)“四大(da)元帥”和風、雨、雷(lei)、電(dian)諸神像,威武勇猛,森嚴肅穆。神龕前(qian)為(wei)香案,仰視有八卦形蜂窩藻(zao)井。殿正中有青(qing)石浮雕九龍金階,金階兩(liang)(liang)旁(pang)豎立(li)石柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu),柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)鐫:“大(da)葛青(qing)云(yun)路,仙翁(weng)紫金街。鶴嶺(ling)駐(zhu)仙蹤,山巒撐突(tu)兀,朝拜(bai)須(xu)清靜,登(deng)臨自健(jian)松(song)。”等字樣;柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)頂(ding)端踞(ju)立(li)石象、石獅(shi)。大(da)殿橫梁上和庭柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)上遍布匾額楹聯(lian)。整(zheng)座大(da)殿金碧輝煌,氣(qi)勢宏(hong)偉。
葛(ge)仙(xian)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)左(zuo)(zuo)側(ce)(ce)(ce)為(wei)“老君殿(dian)(dian)(dian)”,右側(ce)(ce)(ce)為(wei)“觀音殿(dian)(dian)(dian)”。1994年,兩(liang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)側(ce)(ce)(ce)各(ge)建(jian)二屋飛檐八(ba)角荷葉形(xing)歇(xie)山式(shi)鐘鼓樓(lou)。樓(lou)高10.5米,內懸鑄鐵鐘。鐘邊有(you)(you)(you)八(ba)卦圖(tu)案。種身(shen)四周鑄文“帝道遐邇,皇圖(tu)共固,風(feng)調雨順,國泰民安(an)”(民國七年,1918)。鼓直徑80厘米,夏(xia)布鼓面。夏(xia)布浸桐(tong)油后再刷漆,以代(dai)皮鼓面,此事頗(po)有(you)(you)(you)來歷(li)(見本志(zhi)“傳說”章(zhang))。現用夏(xia)布鼓為(wei)1981年4月置(zhi)。在葛(ge)仙(xian)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)西側(ce)(ce)(ce),與大殿(dian)(dian)(dian)毗連處是三(san)官(guan)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。該殿(dian)(dian)(dian)建(jian)于四十(shi)年代(dai)后后期(qi)。4榀,畫(hua)棟雕(diao)梁有(you)(you)(you)朱(zhu)柱23根,朱(zhu)紅(hong)穹形(xing)椽架頂棚(peng),八(ba)卦形(xing)鏤空藻井,青石(shi)(shi)(shi)神(shen)臺青石(shi)(shi)(shi)浮雕(diao)福、祿、壽三(san)星及文房四寶圖(tu)案。中塑(su)天官(guan)、左(zuo)(zuo)為(wei)地(di)官(guan)、右為(wei)水官(guan)神(shen)像(xiang)。神(shen)臺著置(zhi)一(yi)(yi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)香(xiang)妒。出三(san)官(guan)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)順山勢而下即至靈官(guan)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。該殿(dian)(dian)(dian)木石(shi)(shi)(shi)結構,石(shi)(shi)(shi)門,朱(zhu)扉。系三(san)官(guan)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)同期(qi)建(jian)筑。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)前有(you)(you)(you)畫(hua)梁雕(diao)柱走廊(lang)。門前一(yi)(yi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)香(xiang)爐。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)正(zheng)中塑(su)王(wang)靈官(guan)、金甲金鞭,神(shen)威凜赫(he)。左(zuo)(zuo)塑(su)藥王(wang),右塑(su)蛇母娘娘神(shen)像(xiang)。正(zheng)中上方橫匾(bian),黑底金字(zi):“靈官(guan)玉殿(dian)(dian)(dian)”。兩(liang)側(ce)(ce)(ce)有(you)(you)(you)楹聯。
出(chu)靈官(guan)殿(dian)(dian)沿百步嶺石(shi)階(jie)而下即(ji)至地母殿(dian)(dian)。1984年(nian)毀于(yu)(yu)火,1991年(nian)修復。土木(mu)結構,歇山(shan)式,八(ba)卦門。神龕內中塑地母元(yuan)(yuan)君,左塑天母元(yuan)(yuan)君,右塑水(shui)母元(yuan)(yuan)君。殿(dian)(dian)左側為鬼谷(gu)仙(xian)師(又稱(cheng)夢神),殿(dian)(dian)右側為五谷(gu)天君等神像。出(chu)地母殿(dian)(dian)沿石(shi)階(jie)而下即(ji)至玉皇殿(dian)(dian)(又稱(cheng)玉皇樓)。1984年(nian)毀于(yu)(yu)火。1991年(nian)8月(yue)21日奠基,1992年(nian)12月(yue)3日竣(jun)工。鋼筋水(shui)泥框架結構,兩層,仿古宮殿(dian)(dian)式,黃琉璃瓦,朱(zhu)紅圓(yuan)柱(zhu),紅墻,飛檐翹角。欄柱(zhu)三面雕花。氣勢恢宏,富麗(li)堂皇。
建筑面積374.76平方米(mi)。樓高11.3米(mi),長12.9米(mi),寬9.6米(mi)。門(men)前開鑄鐵香爐,系民國(guo)二十七年(1938)所置。
玉(yu)皇(huang)(huang)殿(dian)一層祀玉(yu)皇(huang)(huang)大帝。神像(xiang)端坐于盤龍描金神龕內,前(qian)有金童、玉(yu)女。龕正上(shang)方(fang)(fang)一匾(bian)額,黑底(di)金字“金闕云宮(gong)”。座前(qian),左塑葛孝先、薩(sa)守堅,右塑張(zhang)道(dao)陵、許(xu)(xu)旌陽,合(he)稱“葛、張(zhang)、許(xu)(xu)、薩(sa)”四信真君站像(xiang),傳(chuan)說(shuo)均為天(tian)樞內閣成員。殿(dian)門上(shang)方(fang)(fang)一大橫匾(bian),亦黑底(di)金字“玉(yu)皇(huang)(huang)大帝”,兩側有聯。二樓祀大清(qing)道(dao)德(de)天(tian)尊(zun)、玉(yu)清(qing)元始天(tian)尊(zun)、上(shang)清(qing)靈寶天(tian)尊(zun),又稱“三清(qing)閣”。
玉虛觀周圍建(jian)(jian)有三(san)(san)座(zuo)山(shan)(shan)(shan)門:觀西(xi)面(mian)為西(xi)山(shan)(shan)(shan)門,片(pian)石單面(mian)結構(gou),白粉墻、橢圓門、翹角。門上(shang)方扇形框正面(mian)題(ti)“三(san)(san)清在即(ji)”,背面(mian)題(ti):“道超德茂”。觀東面(mian)為東山(shan)(shan)(shan)門,建(jian)(jian)筑構(gou)型與西(xi)山(shan)(shan)(shan)門一樣。上(shang)書(shu)“葛仙山(shan)(shan)(shan)”三(san)(san)字(zi)。觀北(bei)(bei)面(mian)為北(bei)(bei)山(shan)(shan)(shan)門,在山(shan)(shan)(shan)北(bei)(bei)區進口處。建(jian)(jian)筑造型與西(xi)山(shan)(shan)(shan)門相同。上(shang)書(shu):“咫尺西(xi)天(tian)”。進此山(shan)(shan)(shan)門即(ji)到龍舌(she)池(chi)、慈濟寺(si)。
出東(dong)山門(men)半里(li),登(deng)山橫越七華里(li)即(ji)到東(dong)半山爺殿(dian)。此(ci)處(chu)系一搖籃形山谷盆地(di),方圓開闊(kuo),日(ri)照(zhao)充足,山水宜人。爺殿(dian)即(ji)建(jian)(jian)于盆地(di)南偏西端。片石、土墻結構,4榀廳堂。中(zhong)祀(si)葛爺(葛玄(xuan)(xuan)之父),左塑(su)葛娘(葛玄(xuan)(xuan)之母)、觀音(yin)、三(san)官(guan)、地(di)母神像(xiang),右塑(su)天師張道(dao)陵、洪鈞老(lao)祖、道(dao)德天尊、龍王(wang)等神像(xiang)。據說(shuo)此(ci)處(chu)原(yuan)有(you)觀音(yin)殿(dian)、三(san)官(guan)殿(dian)等12棟廟宇(yu),“文革”中(zhong)夷為平地(di),于今只見屋(wu)基。爺殿(dian)系1992年四(si)鄉百姓(xing)募建(jian)(jian)。翌年,又在路(lu)口右側(ce)建(jian)(jian)靈(ling)官(guan)殿(dian)。
在葛(ge)仙(xian)山(shan)(shan)西(xi)北半山(shan)(shan)處建(jian)(jian)有(you)(you)娘殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。系(xi)民間為紀念“葛(ge)仙(xian)翁(weng)”之(zhi)母(mu)所(suo)建(jian)(jian)。傳(chuan)說始(shi)建(jian)(jian)于明末,然(ran)史無(wu)稽(ji)考(kao)。幾度興廢。今貌為4榀木瓦(wa)結構(gou)平房,系(xi)1986年4月(yue)上(shang)饒“三官會”眾(zhong)信士所(suo)建(jian)(jian)。屋頂飛(fei)檐(yan)、翹角,有(you)(you)雙(shuang)龍(long)(long)搶珠(zhu)立體浮塑(su)。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)門兩(liang)(liang)側(ce)有(you)(you)楹聯,文曰:“娘德共爹(die)恩(en)定省金(jin)(jin)仙(xian)思復(fu)育,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)成同像塑(su)往來香客謁虔誠(cheng)。”殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)堂正中木雕朱漆、描金(jin)(jin)神(shen)(shen)龕,兩(liang)(liang)側(ce)有(you)(you)聯,文曰:“嗣漢連綿傳(chuan)萬代,天師道法保(bao)黎(li)民。”中塑(su)鳳冠(guan)霞帔、慈眉善(shan)目(mu)中年女神(shen)(shen),乃(nai)“葛(ge)仙(xian)翁(weng)”之(zhi)母(mu)。上(shang)懸匾額,篆刻“圣母(mu)元(yuan)君”。左(zuo)側(ce)神(shen)(shen)龕內塑(su)葛(ge)父,官帽、蟒(mang)袍、白須。直匾書曰“妙道高玄”。右(you)側(ce)神(shen)(shen)龕內塑(su)“送子觀音”神(shen)(shen)像。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)門前一小坪(ping),經此(ci)沿(yan)石(shi)(shi)階下山(shan)(shan)。坪(ping)右(you)側(ce)建(jian)(jian)有(you)(you)一棟兩(liang)(liang)層樓(lou)房,為葛(ge)仙(xian)山(shan)(shan)寺觀管委會于1996年所(suo)建(jian)(jian),為香客提供(gong)飲食、住宿(su)服務,兼售香燭、鞭炮、旅游紀念品等。在山(shan)(shan)北,古柳杉樹側(ce),建(jian)(jian)有(you)(you)龍(long)(long)王(wang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。該殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)面(mian)對龍(long)(long)舌池。瓦(wa)頂、土墻。內奉祀龍(long)(long)王(wang),有(you)(you)石(shi)(shi)香爐(lu)、香燭臺(tai)。
玉虛(xu)觀現存藏經(jing)有:《道德經(jing)》、《靈(ling)(ling)寶經(jing)》、《葛(ge)仙經(jing)》、 《玉皇(huang)經(jing)》、《地(di)母經(jing)》、《三(san)官經(jing)》、《靈(ling)(ling)官經(jing)》、《觀音經(jing)》、《受生(sheng)經(jing)》、《金剛經(jing)》、《蓮(lian)華觀音經(jing)》、《高皇(huang)觀音經(jing)》、《北斗經(jing)》、《太(tai)陽(yang)經(jing)》、《太(tai)陰(yin)經(jing)》等(deng)14部經(jing)籍和《早、晚功課經(jing)》1部。