Wudang Taoism
Taoism, the indigenous religion of China, has its origins in Shamanism. Its ornate tribal knowledge and magical wisdom was practiced to ensure immortality. Shamanism was practiced in the Qin and Western Han dynasties (221-207B.C. and 206 B.C.-24 A.D.). During the reign of Emperor Shun Di, of the Eastern Han Dynasty (126-144 CE), Zhang Ling (Zhang Daoling) founded the Five Pecks of Rice Sect in Heming Mountain. Every member was to pay five pecks of rice in annual membership fees. Zhang was later venerated by his followers as the Celestial Master, so his group was also known as the Sect of the Celestial Master.
Lao Zi, the founding philosopher of Taoism, is its chief deity and is honored as Lord of the Most High by Taoists, who believe the existence of the Tao is all-embracing and everlasting, and gives birth to and governs any and every thing including the sky and the earth. They hold that they can attain longevity and become one with the Tao through special meditation practices.
The highest deities of Taoism are the Three Pure Gods (Yuan Shi, Ling Bao and Dao De) but its pantheon includes many groups of popular deities which are broadly worshipped such as: Heavenly Deities, Earthly Immortals and Human Spirits.
The basic canon of Taoism is the Tao Te Ching, also known as the Five-Thousand-Character Scripture by Lao Zi. The daily liturgies include the Jade Emperor Scripture and the Lasting Tranquility Scripture.
Over 5,000 years ago, Zhen Wu, the Taoist god that Wu Dang temple worships, came to Wu Dang mountain to cultivate alchemy. After 42 years of practice, he successfully flew during the daytime and became the god of the Northern Heaven; thereby he established the Wu Dang Shrine of Taoism.
About 2000 years ago the great philosopher and healer, Lao Tzu, and his disciple, Master Yixi, both practiced Taoism on Wu Dang Mountain. This established Wu Dang Mountain as one of the birth places of Chinese Taoism.
During the past 2000 years, many highly venerated people have come to Wu Dang Mountain to settle into stillness and to develop their internal energy. Yinxi, of the Zho Dynasty, was one of them and so was Yin Changsheng, of the Han Dynasty. Xicyong of the Jin Dynasty, Lu Dongbin of the Tang Dynasty, Chen Tuan of the Song Dynasty, Hao Ranzi of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhang Sanfeng of the Ming Dynasty and Lao Yizi of the Qing Dynasty were also residents at Wu Dang mountain.
Today over 100 Taoist priests practice internal alchemy and inner spiritual development on Wu Dang mountain. The tranquil beauty of the landscape makes it an ideal environment for the cultivation of the mind and the spirit.
