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Wudang Mountains (武当山;), or Wu Tang Shan or simply Wudang, a small mountain range in the northwestern part of Hubei Province in China , should be to the Taoists what Mecca is to the Muslims. Taoists are followers of Taoism, the latter being a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions that have influenced East Asia for more than two millennia. The traditional Chinese religion emphasizes the Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation and humility and the followers generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos (天人相应); health and longevity and wu wei (action through inaction) so that harmony with the universe is achieved. Historically, Wudang Mountains were known for their Taoist monasteries which were academic centre for the research, teaching and practice of meditation, Chinese martial art, Chinese medicine, Taoist agriculture practices and related arts. Since the 19th century, Taiosm is said to have influenced the Western world and it is no wonder then that Westerners have come to this Unesco World Heritage Site which houses Taoist buildings from as early as the 7th century and which represents the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years. While every Muslim who has the financial and physical means must travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj once in a lifetime, it is of course not compulsory for a Taoist to travel to Wudang Mountains. You may just want to come here for the picturesque scenes.
Wudang Mountains (武当山;), or Wu Tang Shan or simply Wudang, a small mountain range in the northwestern part of Hubei Province in China , should be to the Taoists what Mecca is to the Muslims. Taoists are followers of Taoism, the latter being a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions that have influenced East Asia for more than two millennia. The traditional Chinese religion emphasizes the Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation and humility and the followers generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos (天人相应); health and longevity and wu wei (action through inaction) so that harmony with the universe is achieved. Historically, Wudang Mountains were known for their Taoist monasteries which were academic centre for the research, teaching and practice of meditation, Chinese martial art, Chinese medicine, Taoist agriculture practices and related arts. Since the 19th century, Taiosm is said to have influenced the Western world and it is no wonder then that Westerners have come to this Unesco World Heritage Site which houses Taoist buildings from as early as the 7th century and which represents the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years. While every Muslim who has the financial and physical means must travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj once in a lifetime, it is of course not compulsory for a Taoist to travel to Wudang Mountains. You may just want to come here for the picturesque scenes.
Comments
have faded with time, Taoism
is still very much relevant
today...a testimonial to the
wisdom of the ancient Chinese.
I still think most devotees
concentrate on the ritualistic
aspects instead of the the
true teachings though...