This map is a panoramic view of the sacred mountain Wutaishan Five Terrace Mountain, located in Shanxi Province of China, believed to be the earthly abode of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom Manjushri, and has been a focus of transnational pilgrimage for the Chinese, Tibetans, Mongols, and Manchus alike. While Wutaishan had been a sacred site to Chinese Buddhists since the 8th century (Tang dynasty), it became increasingly important to Tibetans, Mongols and Manchus by the 17th and 18th centuries.

Monk Lhundrub, engraver of Sanggai Aimag (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia); Panoramic Map of Mount Wutai; Cifu Temple, Mount Wutai, China; 1846; woodblock print on linen, hand colored; 47 1/8 × 68 in. (119.7 × 172.7 cm); Rubin Museum of Art, Gift of Deborah Ashencaen; C2004.29.1 (HAR 65371)

རི་བོ་དྭངས་བསིལ་གྱི་གནས་བཀོད།

“Panoramic [Map] of Clear and Cool Mountain”

五臺山聖境全圖

“Panoramic Map of the Holy Realm Mt. Wutai”

“Composition of the Land of Cool-Clear Mountain”

Dragon Spring Gate

Dragon Spring Gate was constructed in 1437, at the time it was the only way to Wutai’s numerous peaks. This was the beginning of the Kangxi emperor’s five tours of Wutaishan (twice in 1683, 1698, 1702, 1710), who is depicted below shooting a tiger.

The Manchu emperor pacifies the region

Shehu chuan (Tiger Shot Stream) During the Kangxi emperor’s first tour of Wutaishan in 1683 the imperial party encountered a tiger by the roadside that was terrorizing locals and traveling merchants. The emperor gave chase and slew the tiger with a single arrow, relieving the suffering of his subjects. To memorialize this a stone tablet was erected naming this place “Tiger Shot Stream.” Kangxi was the first Manchu emperor to be overtly declared an emanation of Manjushri, and his pacifying the region mirrors Manjushri’s subjugation of local poisonous dragons on Wutaishan, alluded to by the dragon’s tail which Kangxi grasps.

One of two Qing imperial Tibetan Buddhist temples at Wutaishan

Tailusi (Terrace Foothill Temple) is one of two Qing imperial Tibetan Buddhist temples (along with Pusading) led by the imperially appointed Da Lama (“Great Teacher”) (no. 70). it is often said that this temple was founded by the Kangxi emperor in 1685 in remembrance of his shooting the tiger nearby during his first tour in 1683 (see no. 64). Tailusi was probably first a Qing imperial palace at Mount Wutai, which was later converted to a Tibetan Buddhist temple.

Constructed to generate merit for the Emperor’s mother

Nanshansi (Southern Mountain Temple) was founded by the Yuan court lead by the famous Nepalese artist Anige (1245–1306) in 1297 for the Mongol emperor Temur (r. 1294–1307) as Wansheng Youguosi (Myriad Saints Safeguarding the State Temple). its construction was intended to generate merit for the emperor’s mother, and it was one of the most extravagant Mongol court temple constructions.

Exile residence according to the secret biography

The Sixth Dalai Lama (1683–1706/1746) was a controversial figure who preferred courting ladies to monastic life, and is especially remembered to this day for his romantic poetry. in 1706 the Kangxi emperor, who saw him as illegitimate, ordered the Dalai Lama arrested and deported, but the Dalai Lama fell ill and died on route to the capital in Amdo near Lake Kokonor (Qinghai). However, according to a secret biography the Sixth Dalai Lama escaped his guards and lived on for many years at Wutaishan secretly meditating in a cave (no. 43) with his consort/companion.

Exile residence of the Sixth Dalai Lama?

Many Tibetans believe that the Sixth Dalai Lama (1683–1706/1746), a popular and controversial historical figure who was supposed to have died in captivity in 1706, secretly meditated in this cave at Wutai for six years. This widespread story has made this cave an important pilgrimage destination for Tibetans on Wutaishan.

Summer residence & tomb of Rolpai dorje (1717-1786)

Taming the Ocean Temple (Zhenhaisi) was the summer residence and burial site of Rolpai dorje (1717–1786), court chaplain and personal confidant of the Qianlong emperor. Rolpai dorje spent many summers at Wutaishan, where he had a guiding hand in giving the mountain a Tibetan Buddhist identity, promoting it among Tibetans and Mongols by writing a pilgrimage guide to the mountain in Tibetan.

Residence of a white form of Manjushri called Jnanasattva

Southern Terrace (Nan Tai) is the farthest from the other peaks. Here resides a white form of Manjushri called Jnanasattva. On its peak is Universal Salvation Temple (Pujisi), which was founded by Emperor Sui Wendi (541–604) Flanking the temple is the Stupa of Samantabhadra (Puxianta), a nine-meter stone stupa carved with figures, birds, flowers, animals, and insects.

One of the oldest wooden structures in the world

Light of the Buddha Temple (Foguangsi) was first built in the northern Wei dynasty (471–499), but was destroyed and later reconstructed in 857. Foguangsi, together with Nanchansi (728) (also at Wutaishan), are the oldest timber structures in China, and among the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world. Foguangsi has become a historical icon and the primary exemplar of early Chinese (Tang) architecture today.

Founded circa 770 CE

Golden Pavilion Temple (Jingesi) was founded in about 770 for the famous indian monk Amoghavajra (705–774), one of the most politically powerful Buddhist monks in Chinese history, as part of his efforts to promote the bodhisattva Manjushri as the protector deity of China. it is said that Golden Pavilion Temple was built in imitation of a golden pavilion people had seen floating in the air at Wutaishan, which it is named after.

Renowned for it’s blue, yellow, and green tiled pagoda

Also called Manjushri Temple, Lions Den was built in 1586 on the southwest side of Wutai’s Central Terrace. it is famous for its 35 meter tall octagonal brick pagoda covered in blue yellow and green glazed tiles.

Residence of a form of Manjushri seated on a lion

Western Terrace (Xi Tai). Because of the way the moon hangs over the summit of Western Terrace (Xi Tai), as if a mirror is suspended, it is named “Hanging Moon Peak” (Guayuefeng). On the western peak resides a form of Manjushri seated on a lion called Vadisimha. Emperor Sui Wendi (541–604) founded Thunder of the Dharma Temple (Faleisi) on the summit.

Residence of a sword-wielding form of Manjushri called Manjushri Nata

Central Terrace (Zhong Tai) is associated with Vulture Peak in india, where the Buddha preached some of his most famous sermons. On the central peak resides a form of Manjushri wielding a sword called Manjushri Nata. in 1512 an “indian” monk was invited by the Zhengde emperor, an ardent supporter of Tibetan Buddhism, to build a temple on Wutai’s central peak. (Most “indian” monks mentioned in Chinese sources by this period were Tibetan, as Tibet had replaced india as the Buddhist holy land to the west.)

Residence of sword-wielding form of Manjushri called Vimala

Northern Terrace (Bei Tai). On the north peak resides a form of Manjushri called Vimala, meaning “Stainless.” Spirit Response Temple (Lingyingsi) was founded on the summit of the north peak by Emperor Sui Wendi (541–604), who built a temple on each of Mount Wutai’s five peaks.

Footprints of Manjushri and his lion

Manjushri and his lion were both said to have left their footprints in stone on Wutaishan. Such footprints were akin to a touch relic, a transmitted blessing that could stand for the presence of the deity. The Buddha’s footprints were often carved on stone tablets in front of Chinese temples and appear at several places on this map of Wutaishan along pilgrimage pathways.

Residence of a four-armed form of Manjushri called Manjughosha Tikshna

On Eastern Terrace (Dong Tai) resides a four-armed form of Manjushri called Manjughosha Tikshna. On the summit of the east peak is Bamboo Hat Stupa (Lizita). According to legend, during the early twelfth century an official and a great spiritual master saw a monk of uncertain origin wearing a conical bamboo hat on his head. They did not know from whence he came, they only saw him throw his hat away and immediately enter Narayana Cave, so they knew that he was an emanation of a bodhisattva. They built a stupa at the very place where the hat fell and placed the hat inside.

The image most commonly associated with Wutaishan

The large white stupa was built by the famous Nepalese artist Anige (1245–1306) in 1301, then rebuilt in 1407 with donations made by the Fifth Karmapa (1384–1415) and again in 1567 by the empress dowager. inside the stupa there is believed to be one of the miraculously created Buddha relic stupas of the indian emperor Asoka. The seventy-five-meter stupa is built in a Nepalese style, which contrasts with the surrounding Chinese temple architecture and has become the symbol of Wutaishan.

One of the oldest Buddhist temples in China, first built in 68 A.D

Xiantongsi (Clear Understanding Temple) is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China, first built in 68 A.D. it is the largest temple on the mountain with 400 halls, in 1406 the Ming Yongle emperor (r. 1403–1425) had the temple renovated and expanded on the occasion of the 5th Karmapa’s (1384–1415) visit from Tibet in 1407–8. Later in 1414 Tsongkapa’s famous disciple Shakya yeshe (d. 1435) stayed at this temple.

A popular pilgrimage site for Mongolians

Luohousi (Rahula Temple) is one of Wutai’s large temples. Founded in the Tang period and rebuilt in 1492, it was converted from a Chinese Buddhist temple to a Tibetan Buddhist temple in ca 1683. This temple became a particularly popular pilgrimage place for Mongolians. The temple is famous for a large mechanical lotus that opens its petals to reveal sculptures concealed inside.

The most famous of the Tibetan monasteries at Wutaishan

(Hall of the Ten Directions) (also called Guangrensi), was founded in 1831 by a teacher of Choni Monastery, in the northeastern Tibetan area of Amdo (Qinghai). it was one of the most famous amongst the Tibetan monasteries on Wutaishan and would host visiting monks and pilgrims, maintaining its longstanding ties with northeastern Tibet.

The first Gelug temple in China

Yuanzhaosi (Complete illumination Temple) was built in 1309 by order of the Mongol Yuan imperial family. in 1426 the Chinese Xuande emperor officially designated the temple’s abbot the manager of Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist affairs on the mountain, effectively making this temple the first Gelug temple in China. Tsongkapa’s famous disciple Shakya yeshe is also said to have lived here for many summers. Yuanzhao Temple was later associated with the Chinese master Qinghai (1922–90), who was a key figure in the recent revival of Tibetan Buddhism among the Chinese at Mount Wutai.

Temple of Ancestral Honor (Guangzongsi) is one of Wutaishan’s ten main temples. it was built by an “indian” monk Dorje gyal (probably a Tibetan) in 1507 under the encouragement of the Chinese Ming Zhengde emperor (1506–1521), an ardent believer in Tibetan Buddhism. Most “india” monks mentioned in Chinese sources by this period were in fact Tibetan, as Tibet had replaced india as the Buddhist holy land to the west. Fazun (1902–1980), one of two ethnic Chinese who were most influential in spreading Tibetan Buddhism in China in the twentieth century was based here. He was ordained at Wutaishan and went to Tibet to train, later returning to translate many Tibetan texts into Chinese.

A principal Tibetan Buddhist site

Bodhisattva Peak (Pusading) was first founded in the fifth century, and has been a focus of imperial patronage since at least the Tang dynasty. it was rebuilt by the Chinese Ming Yongle emperor (1403–1424) when it began a conversion to Tibetan Buddhism. it was the principle state Tibetan monastery on Wutaishan during the Qing dynasty, which governed both Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist affairs on the mountain since the mid-seventeenth century.

Emanating the Mongolian Jetsun Dampa incarnation

While there is no known Taranata Stupa on Wutaishan, the primary Mongol incarnation lineage, the Jetsun dampa—who is depicted emanating from the top of this stupa—is believed to be a reincarnation of Taranata. The Mongolian carver of this woodblock declares in his inscription at the bottom of this map that he is a follower of the Jetsun dampa. The presence of this Taranata Stupa on the map stamps the mountain with a Mongolian identity.

A Manjushri sculpture said to have been made by the gods

Shuxiangsi (Manjushri image Temple) is one of Wutai’s large temples, founded in the Tang dynasty, later destroyed rebuilt in 1487, and restored yet again in the Ming Wanli period (1573–1620). This temple is famous for a large awe inspiring sculpture of Manjushri riding a lion which is said to have been made by the gods.

Temples for three bodhisattvas

Three Stupa Temple (Santasi) was founded in the Ming Wanli period (1573–1620). These three white stupas—Wenshu stupa in the center, Guanying Stupa to the South and Puxian Stupa to the North—are named collectively as Santasi (Three Stupa Temple). Within the temple is a white jade Maitreya sculpture, a white jade carving of The Three World Buddhas and other Tibetan Buddhist sculptures such as the eight great bodhisattvas.

Originally constructed with the participation of Nepalese master artist, Arniko

in the late 13th century the famous Nepalese artist Anige (1245–1306) participated in its reconstruction. it became an important temple to Tibetan Buddhism soon after when Qubilai Khan’s Tibetan court chaplain and ritual specialist Dampa (ca. 1230–1303) stayed there. in 1414 Tsongkapa’s famous disciple Shakya yeshe (d. 1435) came to Wutaishan and renovated this temple, making it one of the first Gelug temples in China.

Founded during the Yuan dynasty

Sanquansi was founded in the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) and renovated in the Ming Zhengtong period (1436–1449). in the early 18th century it was renovated again by the Tibetan Buddhist Lobsang Tashi.

Where the blocks for this print were carved

Kindness and Happiness Temple (Cifusi) was built behind Pusading in 1829. Cifusi became the main lodging for Mongolian monks visiting Wutaishan, and thus important to Mongolian Buddhists at Wutaishan. This is where the blocks for this panoramic map of Wutaishan were carved in 1846 by the Mongolian monk Lundrup.

Renamed by the Qianlong Emperor

Dailuoding (Deep Blue Conch Peak) was founded in the Chenghua period (1465–1487) as Foding’an (Buddha Peak Convent), and renovated in the Wanli period (1573–1620). Under the patronage of the Qianlong emperor in 1750 and 1786 the temple was renamed “Deep Blue Conch Peak”.

A temple recently rebuilt as a nunnery

Temple of the Seven Past Buddhas (Qifosi) was founded in the northern Song dynasty, and underwent major rebuilding and repairs in 1466 and 1734. During the Qing dynasty it was a Mongol Buddhist Temple, but it fell into ruin and was recently rebuilt as a nunnery.

Named after Sudhana the archetypal pilgrim

The main hall was built in the Qianlong period (1736–1795), and contained a triad of bronze sculptures of Manjushri, Maitreya and Sudhana, the archetypal Buddhist pilgrim for whom the hall is named and the main teachers who aided him during his spiritual journey. The Sudhana Cave Temple is where the masked dance procession which is depicted on the map traditionally ends.

Patronized by the Kangxi Emperor

Bishansi was visited by the Kangxi emperor on his tours. This was the base of operations for Nenghai Lama (d. 1966), one of the two most influential Chinese monks in the propagation of Tibetan Buddhism among the Chinese in the 20th century, who first came to Mount Wutai and started teaching here in 1934.

Built in the late 8th Century based on a vision

The Tang Chinese monk Fazhao (d. circa 820) had visions of a grand monastery on Wutaishan and moved there around 770 in order to build it. He oversaw the construction of this temple, which was completed in 796. This was one of the temples that the Japanese monk Ennin would visit and describe some fifty years later in 840.

The seat of Manjushri

This stone platform is known for its natural beauty, its surface is smooth like a whetstone, its fine rock veins appear to form letters. it is said that there was an ascetic monk who sat cross-legged on the stone expounding the law and chanting the scriptures. When someone approached him, he disappeared. Afterwards the people saw this stone as the seat of Manjushri.

The procession following a cham dance

The masked Tibetan Cham dance was introduced to Wutaishan in the seventeenth century, when the mountain took on an increasingly Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist identity. Typically this dance was preformed on Wutaishan on the 14th and 15th of the 6th month, which Chinese believe to be Manjushri’s birthday, while many Tibetans call this the Maitreya Festival. This included a grand procession, such as the one depicted here, leading from the gate of Pusading Monastery passing through Guangzongsi, Yuanzhaosi, Luohousi, Shifangtang, and ending at Shancaidong. Each time they reached a temple they recited sutras, chanted mantras, and performed.

A natural cave as a site of symbolic rebirth

The Womb Cave or Mother’s Womb-Cave 佛母洞 (also called the Thousand Buddha Cave: Qianfodong 千佛洞). Those who are able to pass through the small hole in the cave are believed to be “reborn” with their sins expunged. This site has been a must visit stop for Mongolian pilgrims since the 18th century and is still very popular today. In the map depiction the flailing legs of a pilgrim can be seen and a monk, called the “midwife”, to the left helping to push them through the hole

詩曰﹕三世諸佛稱清涼，法照三界及萬方， 文殊變化通凡聖，三寶諸仙即此身，真容久在清涼境人人敬禮無所觀。大華嚴經云，東北方有處名清涼山，從昔以來諸菩薩眾於中止住，現有菩薩名文殊師利，其眷屬諸菩薩眾一萬人，具常在其中而演說法。又寶藏陀羅尼經云，佛告金剛密跡王言，我滅度後於此南瞻部洲東北方，有國名大震那，其中有山，名曰五頂，文殊童子旅行居住，為諸眾生於中說法，及有無量天龍八部圍繞供養，斯言可審矣。此五台一小山圖，未能盡其詳細，四方善士凡朝清涼聖境，及見此山圖，聞講菩薩靈驗妙法者，今生能消一切災難疾病，亨福亨壽，福祿綿長，命終之後，生於有福之地，皆賴菩薩慈化而得也。古大窟圍智宗丹巴佛之徒桑噶阿麻格，名格隆龍住，大發愿心，親手刻造比板，以施四方善士。如有大發頭心，印此山圖者，則功德無量矣。

“All Buddhas of the three ages praise the Clear and Cool [Mountain]. The dharma illuminates the three realms and all directions. Mañjuśrī’s transformations reach all ordinary beings and sages. The Three Treasures and all immortals are this very person [Mañjuśrī]. Mañjuśrī’s true countenance has long dwelled in the realm of the Clear and Cool Mountain, where people have paid respect to it without seeing it. The Flower Garland Sūtra (Avataṃsaka Sūtra) says, “In a place northeast of here, there is a certain region called the Cool and Clear Mountains. Many bodhisattvas from olden times have calmly abided in there. Nowadays the holy Mañjuśrī, together with a retinue of ten thousand bodhisattvas, dwells there and preaches the dharma.” In addition, the [Mañjuśrī] Ratnagarbha-​dhāraṇī Sūtra says, “The Buddha said to the Vajra-wielding guardian bodhisattva ‘after I enter nirvana, in the northeastern part of the Jambudvīpa, is a country called the Great China, where there is a holy mountain called the Five Peaks, in the midst of which the youthful Mañjuśrī roams, dwells, and preaches the dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. At that time innumerable gods and the Eight Classes of Beings, together with their retinue, gather around to make offerings.’” You [the viewer] can investigate this for yourself. This little map of Wutai shan cannot possibly exhaust every detail of the mountain. The benefactors from all four directions who make a pilgrimage to the sacred realm of the Clear and Cool Mountain, who see this map of the mountain, and who listen to and recount the spiritual efficacy and wondrous dharma of the bodhisattva, will in this life be free from all calamities and diseases, and enjoy boundless blessings, happiness, and longevity. After this life, they will be reborn in a blessed land. All these [benefits] can be acquired through the bodhisattva’s merciful transformations. Therefore, the disciple of Jetsün Dampa of Da Khüriye [Mongolia], the engraver Monk Lhündrup (Longzhu) from the Sengge Aimag, makes a great vow, to carve this woodblock with his own hands in order to extend [the merit] to the benefactors of the four directions. Should a person make the vow to print this image, they will accumulate immeasurable merit.”

(Translated by Wen-shing Chou)