Taoism

　　According to the historical records, the Taoism has been preached into Qianshan Mountain for twice: the first time was in the first year of Ming Dynasty, but it disappeared soon; the second time was in the sixth year of Emperor Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (in AD 1667), since Guo Shouzhen of Taiqing Palace in Shenyang delegated his disciple Liu Tailin to preach in Qianshan Mountain. Liu lived initially in Arhat Cave of Zuyue Temple (now is the Arhat Cave in Wuliang Abbey) and established Wuliang Abbey painstakingly, which opened a new era of Taoism in Qianshan Mountain.

　　Although there have been numerous religious denominations in China, the Taoism denomination in Qianshan Area is mainly Longmen Subsect of Quanzhen Taoism, which has always been strict in its religious commandments and grew in blooming in this area since Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty. In its prime era, there used to have nine palaces, eight Taoism abbeys and twelves nunneries prevailing among the gullies and ravines of the scenic area. After experiencing vicissitudes through a long history, there still remains many Taoism temples: Taoism Cradle of the Area--Wuliang Abbey, Yuantong Abbey, Pu’an Abbey and Liujin Nunnery in the North Ravine; Cixiang Nunnery, Muyu Nunnery, Five Dragons Palace in the Middle Ravine; and Taihe Palace, Shenxian Palace, Dongji Palace and Doulao Palace in the South Ravine, as well as the Mammon Temple and Goddess of the Empyrean Palace, which were built later. The introduction of development history of Taoism in Qianshan Mountain Area will be displayed in the following by 3 representative Taoism abbeys: Wuliang Abbey, Five Dragons Abbey and Pu’an Abbey.

　　Wuliang Abbey is located in the North Ravine of Qianshan Mountain, which is one of the most national-wide famous Taoism abbeys as the cradle of Taoism. The founder Liu Tailin is the disciple of Guo Shouzhen of Taiqing Palace in Shenyang, he came to the Qianshan Mountain for preaching since the fifth year of Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty. The Abby has been enlarged and reconstructed up to today’s scale through the efforts of several generations. In 1993, Master Xu Xinyou, followed his teacher’s wishes, has led his disciples and lay Taoists to construct East Pavilion, which is icing on the cake for the Scenery Area.

　　The picturesque natural landscape and cultural scenery complement each other, form a serene, quaint, splendorous and mystical fairyland with over fifty scenic spots varying in the transition of distinct scenery of four seasons, which makes the visitors intoxicated with this wonderful land.

　　The pagodas, stones, peaks, caves and pines of Wuliang Abbey form a consummate combination of the natural landscape and cultural scenery, among which, the Gegong Pagoda in Geyue Lake, Cangzhen Pagoda of Master Xu Xinyou, Zushi Pagoda of Liu Tailin and Eight Immortals Pagoda have engraved deeply in the mind of tourists with their elegance natural landscape and historical legends. The long history of the Wuliang Abbey also render it an educational base for patriotism in our city. The landscape of Wuliang Abbey is the miniature of the Qianshan Mountain, you can enjoy the pleasure of climbing the narrow and flat rocks and refresh yourself by taking all the mountains in a single glance. If you want to apprehending the history and landscape of the Wuliang Abbey, you should definitely visit it by your own.

　　Then, let’s come to the Five Dragons Palace in the Middle Ravine, which is embedded with another entirely different natural landscape and Taoism cultural atmosphere. Every year when the spring comes, the blooming peach blossoms prevailing around the palace. Take a view from the surrounding hills, you will find that the peach blossoms look like the sea sprays splashing from the five dragons seething in the sea of verdant pines. The Five Dragons Palace belongs to the Longmen Subsect and has been experienced in many times renovation and enlargement for hundred years from Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China; in 1983, Taoist Priest Wang Quanlin has led the reconstruction and expansion of the palace hall; later, Taoist Priest Wang Gaojing, the disciple of Wang Quanlin, has guided the construction of Yuancheng Temple, which is the largest temple of Northeastern of China, and one of the largest temples in China, which makes the Five Dragons Palace much more solemn and elegant. The close organic combination of the natural landscape and cultural scenery makes the Five Dragons Palace anther fascinating place apart from Wuliang Abbey in Qianshan Mountain Scenic Area.

　　Finally, we will come to the second highest Peak, Wufo Summit, located in the North Ravine. You can feel and appreciate the fabulous landscape of Qianshan Mountain Scenic Area and a famous temple--Pu’an Temple. People often says that “no mountain is parallel to Xianrentai Peak in height and no temple to Wufo Summit”, the temple here refers to the Pu’an Temple on the Wufo Summit, which is a marvelous and miracle temple transiting into a Taoism temple from a Buddhist one. There is a legend passing through ages to nowadays--“cooking stones by burning legs”, a story about an Eminent Monk and his nephew getting enlightened with the Buddha’s words and attained Buddhahood. Pu’an Abbey is also the only loft-style temple architecture in all the Buddhist and Taoist buildings in Qianshan Mountain Scenic Area.