Shenglian Mountain Zhenwu Temple in Fangshan

Shenglian Mountain Zhenwu Temple in Fangshan

Shenglian Mountain Zhenwu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shenglian Mountain Zhenwu Temple is located in Fangshan District. In the 15th year of the Republic of China (1926 AD), it was established through the fundraising efforts of Abbot Cai Yixian, a Taoist priest, along with devotees from all over. Abbot Cai was well-versed in both literary and martial arts, particularly excelling in medicine. He practiced healing and gained fame throughout the capital. Prominent figures such as the direct-line warlord Wu Peifu, the legendary Peking opera actor Yang Xiaolou, and then-President Cao Kun were all close to him and frequently visited. In the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936 AD), Abbot Cai passed away. The following year, the Japanese invaded the capital, and Zhenwu Temple fell into disrepair. In the early years of the People's Republic, the buildings still stood, but when the Cultural Revolution began, chaos ensued, and the site was completely destroyed.

In 2004, Zhenwu Temple was restored and rebuilt, covering an area of approximately 3,000 square meters. It is the largest and most magnificent Taoist complex on Shenglian Mountain. The central axis of Zhenwu Temple consists of three halls and two courtyards. The front hall serves as the mountain gate of Zhenwu Temple, the middle hall is the Five Ancestors Hall, and the main hall is the Zhenwu Hall, which is the most representative building complex in the temple. Taoism reveres immortals, who are believed to prefer living in high towers, hence the adoption of the ancient Chinese term "Guan" (observatory), originally used for tall structures, as the name for temples. Later, feudal emperors elevated Taoist temples to the status of "Gong" (palace), placing them on par with imperial palaces. One distinctive feature of Taoist architecture is that its grand halls are as majestic as those of imperial palaces. It is estimated that Zhenwu Temple was built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, though records are unclear and cannot be verified.

Front Hall

On the east and west sides of the hall are enshrined the two Door Gods: Wang Lingguan and Zhao Gongming.

Five Ancestors Hall

Northern Five Ancestors: The Supreme Yang Emperor Wang Xuanfu, also known as Shaoyang and referred to as the Eastern Flower Emperor, once lived in seclusion in Mount Kunyu. He became known during the Han Dynasty, and later generations merged his identity with that of the Eastern Flower Duke (also called Eastern Flower Father, Fusang Emperor, or Mugong). Legend has it that he led the male immortals, was born above the blue sea at the beginning of time, governed the yin and yang energies of the East, and that one must first worship Mugong (East relates to wood) before worshipping the Queen Mother of the West (West relates to metal) in order to ascend to the Ninth Heaven and enter the Three Pure Ones Palace to pay respects to the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord and meet the Primordial Heavenly Worthy, holding a very high status in the immortal realm.

The Orthogonal Emperor: Zhongli Quan, a native of Xianyang, Jingzhao during the Five Dynasties, also known as the Orthogonal Master (also called Yunfang), was a general of the Later Han Dynasty. Due to jealousy from his superior Liang Ji, he suffered a defeat and accidentally entered Mount Zhongnan where he met the Eastern Flower Emperor. The latter taught him internal alchemy practices, and he ascended to immortality through the Orthogonal Cave.

The Benevolent Support Emperor: Lü Dongbin (original name Lü Yan), a famous Taoist priest during the late Tang and Five Dynasties period. Legend says that at age 46, while traveling to Chang’an to take the imperial exams, he stayed at an inn where Zhongli Quan initiated him into enlightenment. Zhongli gave him a pillow to dream with. Lü Dongbin cooked millet, and upon waking from the dream where the millet had finished cooking, he realized it was “The Dream of the Yellow Millet,” revealing his future. He instantly became enlightened and devoted himself to Taoism. Later, he met the Fire Dragon Immortal, who taught him the Heavenly Shield Sword Technique. He vowed to "first cut off greed, then desire, and finally troubles," and swore to save all beings before ascending to immortality.

The Sea Toad Emperor: A Taoist priest during the Five Dynasties, originally named Cao, who changed his name to Zhe after entering Taoism, styled as Xuan Ying and known as the Sea Toad Immortal. He served as prime minister of the Yan Kingdom at age 16 under Prince Liu Shouguang. Zhongli Quan helped him realize the impermanence of life (like eggs stacked precariously) and led him to renounce office and live in seclusion in Huashan and Mount Zhongnan, later guiding him to become a disciple of Lüzu to practice internal alchemy.

The Chongyang Emperor: A Taoist priest from the Jin Dynasty, originally named Zhongfu with the courtesy name Yunqing (1112–1170 AD), founder of the Quanzhen School. Born into a wealthy landowning family, he met an immortal in 1159 in Ganhe Town, who imparted secrets of cultivation, leading to his enlightenment and decision to become a monk. Later, the Chongyang Emperor guided the Seven True Ones (Seven Realized Ones: Ma Yu, Tan Chudui, Wang Chuyi, Qiu Chuji, Hao Datong, Liu Chuxuan, and Sun Bu'er).

Zhenwu Hall: Dedicated to the worship of the Great Emperor Zhenwu.

Zhenwu, also known as Xuanwu, cultivated Taoism on Mount Wudang (originally called Mount Taihe). During his practice on Wudang, Zhenwu planted a Langmei tree (a grafted hybrid of lang and plum trees) and made a vow: if he attained enlightenment, the tree would bloom and bear fruit. True to his word, three years later, the tree bloomed and bore fruit (the Langmei fruit).

Legend says that at age 16, he was enlightened by the Purple Void Primordial Lady and began Taoist practice. He once cultivated in Tian Gui Mountain (Hebei) for three years but left due to lack of spiritual energy, then went to Mount Wudang (Hubei) for 42 years, eventually achieving enlightenment. During this time, he once gave up practice and descended the mountain, where he encountered an old woman (transformed by the Goddess of Mount Li) grinding an iron pestle. Curious, Zhenwu asked, “Granny, what are you making with that iron pestle?” “I’m grinding it into a sewing needle!” Zhenwu was enlightened and returned to cultivate, eventually attaining enlightenment. Afterward, he resumed eating meat and drinking wine without restraint. One day, he met the Barefoot Immortal, who told him his intestines and stomach had been tainted, rendering his cultivation futile. Enraged, Zhenwu drew his sword, cut open his chest, and discarded his stomach and intestines. The Barefoot Immortal, moved by his devotion, placed two magical pills—one in his stomach and one in his intestines. His intestines transformed into a golden serpent, and his stomach into an iron turtle, both of which forever accompanied Zhenwu.

Though Zhenwu had attained enlightenment, he had not yet ascended to immortality. The Purple Void Primordial Lady then transformed into a young girl who tried to tempt him, but he remained unmoved. The girl said, “If you ignore me again, I’ll jump off this cliff.” Still, Zhenwu paid no attention. Suddenly, the girl leapt off the cliff. Shocked, Zhenwu thought, “Though I didn’t kill her, she died because of me. As a cultivator, I’ve broken a precept!” Without hesitation, he jumped off the cliff to save her. At that moment, the girl transformed into a five-colored divine dragon lifting Zhenwu—the origin of the legend “Five Dragons Holding the Sage.” Zhenwu ascended to immortality on this cliff, which was thus named “Ascension Cliff.”

The North governs water, with Tianpeng and Tianyou as his generals, commanding heavenly troops.

On Zhenwu’s left and right are Zhou Gong and Taohua. Zhou Gong, surname Ji, given name Dan, was the fourth son of King Wen of Zhou and younger brother of King Wu. A renowned statesman in China, he assisted King Wu in overthrowing the Shang Dynasty, established rites and music, and after King Wu’s death, helped his son King Cheng. According to the “Qufu County Annals”: “In the 13th year of King Wu, the realm was stabilized, and he was enfeoffed in Qufu, the ruins of Shaohao. He declined the fief, remaining to assist King Wu. When King Cheng ascended, he ordered his heir Boqin to take the fief in Lu.” Taohua is said to have been Zhou Gong’s romantic companion.