Thoughts on T’ang Buddhist Mountain Traditions and Their Context

THOUGHTS ON T'ANG BUDDHIST MOUNTAIN TRADITIONS AND THEIR CONTEXT Raoul Birnbaum I. Background In semi-legendary times1 Chinese rulers paid obeisance to certain powerful spirits by ritual worship at a circuit of five special mountains. Historical records of early imperial times relate that worship of potent deities at these special mountain sites was part of the state ritual practiced by Ch'in Shih Huang-ti1 Han Wu-ti1 and others. These historical accounts convey a vivid sense that the sacred mountains and associated deities were approached with feartinged awe. (1) In addition to the great national cults linked to the ruling elite, local cults at certain mountain sites also have a long history. Han and Six Dynasty literature contains many references to and accounts of such cults(2); surely far more local mountain cults existed than are documented in early literature1 and it is likely that the existence of such cults stretches back well before such literature was composed. Certain mountains in China were considered Isacred1" and they became centers for national and local cults. Others were not. ~y was this? Some of the sacred mountains are exceptional in their geology, towering over a plain or rising high above neighboring peaks 1 like lords in full command. Such mountains may have excited the admiration of persons closely attuned to the patterns of the landscape. Some mountains of this type were perceived as weather regulators, having much effect on the dispensation of rain to the spreading fields below. This, of course, was fundamentally important in an agricultural society. (Those with extended high-altitude experience will know that there are particular mountains around which--for various reasons--clouds gather on a regular daily basis in appropriate seasons. These clouds then slowly descend to release their rain, in a highly predictable manner.) Some mountains, it could be suggested, have strategic locations. Worship there by rulers and high officals, in the case of national cult centers, may have incorporated the function of extending or consolidating power. The geographical placement of the ancient five sacred mountains in part may be justified by this factor. In addition, there are inherently religious factors. These mountains were considered sacred in some cases as th~ physical form of a powerful and fecund spirit force, appearing to some as the physical manifestation or repository of great currents of energy. In some cases, these mountains 5 THOUGHTSON T'ANG BUDDHIST MOUNTAINTRADITIONS AND THEIR CONTEXT Raoul Birnbaum I. Background In semi 一 legendary times, Chinese rulers paid obeisance to certain powerful spirits by ritual worship at a circuit of five special mountains. Historical records of early im一 perial times relate that worship of potent deities at these special mountain sites was part of the state ritual practiced by Ch I in Shih Huang-ti, Han Wu-ti, and others. These historical accounts convey a vivid sense that the sacred mountains and associated deities were approached with feartinged awe. (1) In addition to the great national cults linked to the ruling elite, local cults at certain mountain sites also have a long history. Han and Six Dynasty literature contains many references to and accounts of such cults(2); surely far more local mountain cults existed than are documented in early literature, and it is likely that the existence of such cults stretches back well before such literature was composed. Certain mountains in China were considered 11sacred,11 and they became centers for national and local cults. Others were not. 血 y was this? Some of the sacred mountains are exceptional in their geology, towering over a plain or rising high above neighboring peaks, like lords in full command. Such mountains may have excited the admiration of persons closely attuned to the patterns of the landscape. Some mountains of this type were perceived as weather regulators, having much effect on the dispensation of rain to the spreading fields below. This, of course, was fundamentally important in an agricultural society. (Those with extended high-altitude experience will know that there are particular mountains around which--for various reasons--clouds gather on a regular daily basis in appropriate seasons. These clouds then slowly descend to release their rain, in a highly prl"dictable manner.) Some mountains, it...