China (3,058 m) – One of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China
Mount Wutai is another of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, and considered by some to be the most prominent and important of these. According to tradition, Wutai is the home of Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The mountain’s name means the “Five Mountain Plateau”, and the north peak of Wutai is the highest point in North China.
Like Emei, Wutai was identified at an early period as a sacred Buddhist site. While Buddhism first appeared in China at Emei, Wutai was the first mountain to be considered of primary religious importance. The mountain is covered in monasteries and shrines, including the oldest wooden temples still standing in China.
Thanks to its prominence and proximity to Beijing 160 miles to the northeast, Wutai is the most accessible of the Buddhist mountains. Because of this, Wutai sees a large share of Buddhist pilgrims. According to tradition, one of these is Manjusri, who visits the mountain in disguise in order to mingle with visitors and those seeking wisdom.
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