Wutaishan also known as Qingliang-shan （清凉山）, is one of the 4 Buddhist sacred mountains in China, which are believed to be the abode or place of practice of the four great Bodhisattvas. As described in Avatamsaka Sutra, Bodhisattva Manjusri reside on a clear and cooling mountain at north west direction and Wutaishan is thus identified as the home of Bodhisattva Manjusri. The Bodhisattva of Wisdom is believed to frequently appear on the maintain disguising himself in the form of ordinary pilgrims or monks and usual manifestation as five colored clouds above the temples.
The name of Wutaishan is derived from its unusual topography which consists of 5 round flat-topped peaks in north, south, east, west and central direction. Wutaishan hosts some of the oldest existent wooden buildings in China that have survived for about 1500 years. In year 2009, The sacred mountain and its more than 50 monasteries had been listed as an Unesco world heritage site.
Wutaishan is a cultural heritage with unique and beautiful landscape. It is rich in historical relics, Buddhist culture, ancient folk arts and folk customs.
The tall white pagoda that dominates the skyline of Town Taihuai-zhen （台怀镇） has become the symbol of Wutaishan.
Wutaishan is the home to many of China's most important monasteries and temples. It stands a prominent position in Chinese Buddhism.
Wutaishan's monasteries and temples were constructed in two different periods. The earliest construction occurred during Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Numbers of temples increased during successive dynasties from north Wei (386-534) until end of Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was by then known for its close association with Huayuan Sect of Buddhism and was an important center for Huayuan scholarship and an attraction of Huayuan devotees who came as far as from Japan. The second period construction began with Ming and continued to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and was marked by the emphasis of Tibetan Lama Buddhism. This was the time that much of the refurbish and expansion of the existing temples took place. The shift in sectarian emphasis made Wutaishan almost as important to Tibetan in terms of pilgrimage as Jerusalem to Christians. The founder of Tibetan yellow hat sect Rev. Tsongkapa (1357-1419) came to proselytize in early years of 15th century.
There are approximately 50 Buddhist Temples on Wutaishan ranging from small temples with few resident monks to big monasteries with dozen of resident and visiting monks. Many of the existing were restored and expanded during Ming and Qing Dynasty.
Temple Wanfo-ge （万佛阁） covers a total land of 2000 sq.meter with about 20 over structures in the complex. Though not in big scheme， it was the most famous in Wutaishan as it houses a great hall for 5-dragon kings. Wanfo-ge locating just by the east corner of Pagoda Temple is actually not an independent temple but associated with Tayuan Pagoda Temple. It was first built in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) but restored and expanded in year 1917.
The legend said that the five dragon kings chased after Bodhisattva Manjusri to Wutaishan to ask back the gem stone they used for cloud seeding and control rain. It was said that the extremely hot weather in Wutaishan at that time made people suffered a lot. Coming to know that the dragon king's gem stone was able to soothe and cool down the climate, the compassion Bodhisattva used his wisdom to diplomatically borrow from dragon king and brought back to Wutaishan. From then onwards, the mountain site became cool and refreshing all years round and gained the name as Qingliang-shan. The 5 sons of dragon kings when later came to know about the incident, jumped on their feet and angrily followed up to Wutaishan. They were so annoyed that they chopped off the 5 mountain peaks into flat-topped plateau but at last they were subdued by the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The 5 dragon kings were assigned to station at the 5 terraces and in charge of the job in cloud seeding and rain for Wutaishan. People in appreciation to their beneficiary and meritorious work, built a temple to worship them.
The magnificent view of Wutaishan from Temple Wanfo-ge.
Wutaishan received its first snow fall heavily earlier this year in Oct 2012 one night before we arrived. We were warned of the unpredictable severe weather by the locals when we were leaving Taiyuan to head to this huge Buddhist Sacred Mountain site. Unbelievable, we were welcomed by a sunny day with blue sky and were offered with an incredibly scenic view of the mountains capped with white snow. Thank you so much for the blessing from Bodhisattva Manjusri.
A meditation monk in the field facing Pagoda.
The sincere devotees of 5 dragon kings burning incense outside the shrine hall.
The three main structures in Wanfo-ge （万佛阁） complex comprising of Shrine Hall of Bodhisattva Manjusri, The 5 dragons hall and the opera stage building. Wanfo-ge is widely known as Wuye-miao (五爷庙 5 kings temple) reflecting the importance of the 5-dragon hall.
The little hall of 5 dragon kings is fully adorned with flowers and visitors are required to queue up in order to personally kneel down in front of the 5 dragon kings and make their wishes.
The Image placed at the center of the hall is the 5th Dragon King. To his left are images of lst, 2nd dragon kings and the Dragon Mother and to his right are the statues of cloud seeding rain master with 3rd and 4th dragon kings.
The appreciation banners from the devotees of Dragon Kings after their wishes were fulfilled.
Wanfo-ge in Wutaishan is most visited visited temple in Wutaishan as many lay people trust that their wishes can come true after taking a vow with the dragon kings.
Roofing eaves of Dragon Kings Hall.
The Show-Stage building structure right in front of 5-dragon kings hall was built particularly for opera performance to entertain the 5 dragon kings. It was said that the dragon kings love opera. In the month of June, people would arrange opera show and open the shrine hall to please the 5 dragon kings hoping to have a good weather and an abundant harvested year.
Temple Wanfo-ge is also called Wenshu-Dian that actually is The Hall for Bodhisattva Manjushri.
The name of Wanfo-ge derived from the thousands of 3 inches tall mini Buddha images offered in the square wooden shelves at every walls of its two storey building. The upper floor of the building enshrines with an Image of Bodhisattva Dizang (Earth Stored) and a 800 years old bronze cast bell was hanged at verandah. Images of Bodhisattva Manjushri, Avalokitesvara and Samantabhadra are enshrined at lower ground Hall.
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There is an unknown temple at this corner after a sloping pathway from Wanfo-ge. We did not stay long as it was too commercial.
At Wutaishan, majority of the temples are nested within the valley of the 5 terraces.
Beautiful autumn scenery although it was snowing last week.
A local who volunteer to take us around which we appreciated but the temples she brought us were not those we wanted to see. We excused from her shortly and continued the temple visit in accordance to our own schedule.
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