The Laojun(lao zi)Cave,
The Laojun Cave is the oldest and only grotto discovered in Wudang Mountain. According to the records, Taixuan Monastery was, built here in the ninth year of Emperor Tiansheng rule in the Song Dynasty, but destroyed in the later year of the Song Dynasty and then rebuilt in the Yuan Dynasty, at which time Mountain-gate Temple was included. By the tenth year of Emperor Yongle rule of the Ming Dynasty, there built a royal gate, corridor and 23 Taoist rooms, but all the constructions outside the cave were damaged in the Qing Dynasty and now only a semicircular cave survives.
Laojun's statue, sitting steadily and practicing Taoism, was cut in the middle of the rocky cave. Laojun, named Li-Er, was a famous Chinese philosopher. His 5000-word works, Moral Book, has been looked on as the canon of Taoism, and Li Er the primogenitor of Taoism.
The existing relics of Laojun Cave occupy about 2000 square meters, where the three most respectable Taoist gods, God of Origin, God of Pray-realizing, and God of Morality had ever lived, is also called Three
-lustration Place. So the furnishings here were the very exquisite at that time. Ren-Zigeng, the first official by the emperor of Ming Dynasty showed his great admiration for this place and lived here for a long time. He also compiled and published a book named Wudang Mountain Annals.
On the left of Laojun Cave, there are a group of stone sculptures, among which are carved statues of the Crown Prince's First Arrival at Wudang Mountain and the Nine Immortals of Penglai Island. These large rocky caves and sculptures and the ancient religious sacral records in Wudang Mountain are hard-to- get tangible items for researching the religion and history of Wudang Mountain.
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| The Middle Hall (Zhong Guan)
The cable car start from here to the top of wudang mountain (Jing Ding)
rebuild in 2002. about 30 taoist living there now
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The Palace of Meeting Real God
The Palace of Meeting Real God, built from 1412 to 1417, with many other buildings in it, such as, Eight-character Palace Gate, East and West Side Halls, Hall of Tiger and Dragon, Hall of Real God, is a quiet and secluded place.
The Palace of Meeting Real God was built by the emperor for Zhang-Sanfeng, a famous Taoist. He, a legendary character in Taoism and Martial Arts, full of knowledge and good at martial art to move away quickly and invisibly, travelled all around China's famous mountains to spread Taoism and was called" Real God'' by the people.
In the early years of Hongwu emperor of Ming Dynasty, Zhang came to Wudang Mountain for learning Taoism and martial arts. Wudang Boxing, created by him has been well known and developed by the descendants into one of the most affecting schools. Zhang was called the ancestor of Wudang martial arts, so the descendants of later dynasties respect Yuxu Palace, and study and practise martial arts here.
Zhang once said, "Wudang Mountain will flourish in some day." Really, ten years later, Cheng emperor of Ming Dynasty spent large sum of money building Wudang Mountain. Later, Zhang left Wudang Mountain without any information. Zhu-Yuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming Dynasty, and Cheng emperor sent for Zhang; Cheng emperor had written a letter to him to the effect that Zhang had higher morality and greater knowledge than others, even the emperor himself can't compare with, so the emperor wanted to see and learn from him. But none was lucky enough to meet Zhang -Sanfeng, who was mysterious and honourable in the people's mind. In order to show his sincerity, Cheng emperor ordered to build The Palace of Meeting Real God and Zhang's sculpture for the people to worship.
The fact that the sovereign emperor built a palace for a Taoist and his sculpture and sent officials to keep them clean is quite scarce. So Yuxu Palace has played a great important role in Wudang Taoism.
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East havean gate of the
South Cliff
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Sword-River Bridge
Sword-River Bridge, also named Tianjin Bridge, is the main ancient to Wudang Mountain. Though located at the wilderness of remote mountains, the old tall trees, clear rivers, Dragon Spring Temple and Zhaobi here make you feel as if you are in the family yard.
During the rule of Emperor Yongle, in the Ming Dynasty, the Dragon Spring Temple was built on one side of Tianjin Bridge and Zhaobi on the other side, standing against the dragon head-like mountain. The bridge, with three holes, among which, the middle holes crosses 9.6 meters and the side ones 6.7 meters, was first built in the Yuan Dynasty. It is still safe and sound after many years' strike of flood.
Besides, there is a beautiful piece of folklore connected with Sword River Bridge. It is said that when the young Emperor Zhenwu came to Wudang Mountain to cultivate, his mother, Empress Shansheng led 500 soldiers here, asking him to return to the palace. Seeing that Emperor Zhenwu was reluctant, the mother grasped his robe to force him to return. But Emperor Zhenwu took out his sword, cut off his robe, and then lacerated the ground with one stroke, from which a sword-river gushed immediately. This sword-river separated mother and son and they broke down into tears. Then Emperor Zhenwu walked 18 steps upwards, which is now the Upper 18-turning of the Wudang Mountain. The mother walked 18 steps downwards, the Lower 18-turning.
Now, walking on the ancient road of these 36 turnings, and looking at the flowing sword river on the ancient bridge, visitors will be moved by this beautiful legend and speak highly of the ancients' wisdom in building such wonderful things.
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Golden Top
The Golden Palace of on the top of Heavenly Pillar Peak is the essence and symbol of Wudang Mountain, the sign of Wudang Taoism coming to the highest peak under the support of the imperial families.
The Golden Palace view-site includes Zhong Temple, Yellow Dragon Cave, Sky Entrance Palace, the First Sky Entrance, the Second Sky Entrance, the Third Sky Entrance and the Golden Hall of the Palace of Harmony, Imperial Scriptures Hall, Purple Gold Wall, Worshipping Hall, and some ancient buildings built in the Yuan dynasty. Inside of these buildings, there are many precious historical relics, which not only present china's ancient high architecture skills and magnificent melting technology, but also stand for Chinese national intelligence and scientific level.
Standing in front of Golden Palace, you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful scene of Wudang Mountain, as far as 400 kilometers away. All the peaks are stopping at the static moment, just like raged waves, which wonderfully advertises the holy prestige and lofty imperial power. Meanwhile, you can also view many fantastic natural astronomical phenomena and learn many widespread fairy tales.
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| Thunder God Hole
According to the history, Thunder God Hole, built in Ming Dynasty, was the place of Zhang-Shouqing, a famous Wudang Mountain Taoist, to exercise Qingwei Law of Thunder and to pray for rain.
Thunder God Hole is the only place to worship Thunder God, also named God Deng. In the stone hall, there is a statue of Thunder God, the biggest in Wudang Mountain, which has a bird face in a man body, a glede mouth, two snipe eyes, two man feet, and ten glede toes, which exhibited the graceful bearing of Thunder God of China in 15th century.
The belief of Thunder God has derived from ancient people's subconscious adoration to thunder and lightning. It was said in history that Thunder God has only one foot and looks like a cow, when he comes out, there must be rain and wind, and strong noise.
Taoism believes that the thunderclap can stand for Heaven, "It is in change of living beings and humans, can bring you fortune and misfortune." So in Wudang Mountain, there are many celestial beings having different expressions on their faces, holding their own tools that show their different duties.
Behind the Hole, there is a natural spring, streaming all the year, cool in summer, warm in winter and having a sweet taste, so is also called Supernatural Spring.
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The Middle Hall (Zhong Guan) ,rebuild in 2002. about 30 taoist living there now.
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Crown Prince's Slope
The Crown Prince's Slope View-site includes Dragon-returning Temple, Needle-rubbing well (Pure Sunshine Palace), Old Monarch's Hall, The Eight Immortals Temple, etc. Though the route is relatively long, most of them cling tightly to the road up to the mountain; and the means of transportation are very convenient.
The ancient buildings on the Crown Prince's Slope were elaborately built according to the story of Emperor Zhenwu's cultivation. Ancient architects made full use of the topography and built up double-layered walls, the Nine-winding Yellow River Walls. When you pass two mountain gates, a spacious courtyard will come into view. Strolling further along the path, you will see secluded overlapping courtyards. In front, there was a building called Five-Cloud Building attached to the rock; in the middle, the Halls to Store Royal Scriptures; and at the back, the Crown Prince's palace on the dais. The layout here is irregular from left to right and dotted about from higher to lower places, harmonious and perfect, ingenious and full of mystery. Standing on the top of the Fuzhen Temple and looking down the deep abyss, you will see the green rivers winding away; looking at the mountains, you will find thousands of elegant and beautiful peaks. When the sun sets in the west, you can see the wonderful sight of "Cutting Shadow".
The main places of interest in this district include the exquisite gloriette of Needle-rubbing Well, the invertebrates of Paleozoic Era, right angle rock, the paintings of Zhenwu's cultivation, the waterfall of Heaven Pool, the Tears-dropping Pool, one pillar and twelve girders, osmanthus trees and Nine-winding Yellow River Walls. Furthermore, the ancient road of belt-like 18-turning, unique rocks in Nine-passing Gully and steep Yuxu Rock, etc.
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Taoist Music
Taoist music is the music used by Taoists when they hold the Fasting and Jiao ceremonies, celebrate the birthdays of gods, pray for good fortune, subdue and get rid of Old Nicks, release souls from purgatory and other religious activities. Taoist music is the indispensable part during the process of Taoist Fasting and Jiao ceremonies, for it can foil and romance religious atmosphere, strengthen the believers' admiration for holy land and respect for gods and Psyche.
Taoist music, as one of ancient religion music, contains the basic religion belief and aesthetic theory both in music pattern and rhyme, forming their own special characteristics.
The aesthetic theory of Taoist music reflects Taoist desire for long life and quietness and inactiveness. The rhyme is solemn and peaceful, to show the majestic vigor of collecting and ordering gods and generals, the force and determination to subdue and get rid of the evils, the happiness and buoyancy of praying for fortune and holding a celebration, the beauty and peace of praising the gods, the magic illusion of praying and cultivation. With the foiling and romancing of music, Taoist religion activities become more solemn, more divine, and more mysterious. All kinds of gods' image will be lively shown in the music, which takes humans' sensibility into mysterious immortal world.
Taoist music is made up of two parts, vocality and instrumental music, with many kinds of performances, such as solo, chorus, and so on. The vocality is the main part of Taoist music for religion service, whose melody is very concrete, expressing the hope and prayer of the man who attend the service, such as asking for help from gods, praising gods. The harmonious unification of melody and lyric, the reasonable cooperation of all kinds of music patterns, make up the whole religion activity.
The instruments of Taoist music almost include all the instruments of Han nationality, such as clock, drum, pan, bell, wood-fish, pipe, flute, violin and the like.
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Taoist Religion Service
In the halls or temples of Taoism, people will often see the Taoists singing the ancient songs and dancing in the mandala, with colorful clothes and some kinds of religion service wares in hand, which is the Taoist service rite, Taoist Rite, or Attending the religion service to the letter of rules.
"Fast " refers to that the attendant should have a bath and change clothes, not eat meat or drink wine, not sleep with one's better half before the rite, to show one's piousness. Taoism absorbed this for the purpose of clearing the mind by eating vegetables and cleaning the body by having a bath, in other words, fasting. Doing good things to get rid of the evil thought, conforming to god to keep healthy, and then cultivating, are the three stages of fasting. Taoism has paid more attention to fasting and set a series of rules to direct fasting process.
Jiao was sacrifice, an old rite. Taoism has absorbed and developed this meaning of sacrifice, by which to communicate with gods. Jiao also has many rules in the process and rite. Jiao has many other names, for people pray for what, there will be some relative kind Jiao, for example, a Jiao to pray for rain. At first, the rules of fasting were different from that of Jiao, but after several dynasties' combination, fasting and Jiao combined into one, the pronoun of Taoist rites.
Fasting and Jiao rules refer to the rules and regulations that Taoist religion service should observe. The following are some services that the Taoists often attend:
I, Morning and Evening Lesson in the Mandala, is a must for the Taoists living in the temple, whose purpose is to exercise body and cultivate mind, to pray for good fortune, to stabilize one's mind to be a Taoist, to release souls from purgatory, and to demonstrate the management of the temples.
II, Welcoming ceremony for the founder is to welcome Zhenwu ascend the mandala, to demonstrate his great power, to the effect of protecting scriptures, Taoism, and temples and halls, so as to keep the Taoist temples and halls quiet forever.
III, Fete for the singles is a rite done in the evening lesson, to sacrifice the single ghosts and release souls from purgatory for them.
IV, Birthday ceremony is the rite to celebrate the birthday of the founder of Taoism, Zhang-Sanfeng.
V, Celebration ceremony is also the rite to celebrate the birthday of the founder of Taoism, Zhang-Sanfeng, which is done at day.
VI, Meeting the emperor rite is used on the morning, the midnight point, on 25th of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, to meet the Jade Emperor of Heaven, by which to ask the emperor to descend to the mortal world and bring good fortune to humans and keep them healthy and longevous.
VII, Big-turning rite is to demonstrate the power of Taoism, to get rid of all evils and release all creatures in the world, which is at the end of service.
VIII, Sending letter (melting letter, or burning application) rite, is a very important rite in the fasting and Jiao, widely used in all kinds of big service, by which, Taoists send their application letters to Jade Emperor, to invite all gods descend to the mandala and bring fortune and preserve humans' life and release souls for the dead.
IX, Water-and-fire tempering rite is a common rite to release souls for the dead.
X, Lamp rite is also a commonly used rite done in the evening after the sun has set, with lamp as the religion service ware, by which to light the world and perish the darkness.
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