Zhang DaoLing, Ancient Daoist Exorcist
Qing Cheng Shan, Jail or Possessed?
Nestled in rolling mountains on China’s Western frontier lies the birthplace of Daoism, Qing Cheng Shan, just west of Chengdu. A visit to Qing Cheng (Emerald City, which refers to the lush green foliage of the area) bathed in wafts of cloudy qi will recharge the soul and nourish the spirit.
Such an important Daoist treasure has long lived in relative quiet, secluded to the tramples of tourists. Treasures of life, vivid plants, succulent food and incredible history remain undiscovered and the lush Emerald City bursts with legend.
Zhang Dao-Ling Conquers Evil
Long ago Zhang DaoLing founder of Celestial Masters Daoism (Tian Shi Dao) traveled to Qing Cheng Shan in search of a quiet place to meditate. He spent years in the belly of a mountain cavern refining his practice to perfection.
Eventually, this remote area was infested with demons who ransacked and harassed the residents even in broad daylight. Tired of the chaos, he challenged by demons and little by little began conquering them. Zhang Dao Ling was forced to use his mighty sword to banish the demons to the bottom of the mountain and restore peace and harmony.
Legend states that this effort of defending daylight and allowing lesser demons to wander only at night was the beginning of yin and yang. To this day, the ill-fated demons lie trapped at the bottom of the holy mountain. Or do they?
The Earthquake: Wandering Ghosts?
China’s historic earthquake of 2008 struck right at Qing Cheng Mountain, its impact rocked western China leaving damage and death of catastrophic proportions. The mountain itself suffered great damage from landslides, rolling boulders, and falling structures.
But what triggered the massive earthquake? Was it mere geology, the movement of tectonic plates, deep volcanoes? Or perhaps was the deep mountainous sentence of the demons broken by escape? Are demons wandering about in broad daylight just as they did hundreds of years ago? The question lies in the clouds rolling over the tops of trees through waves of meditation like unanswered koans.
Many Daoists, Many Swords
The peachwood sword, which resembles a double-edged Tai Chi sword, is a vital tool that all Daoists are familiar with. It is a symbol and tradition carried on to honor the mighty battle and great power of Zhang DaoLing.
Upon ordination Daoist priests are given a sword which has been blessed and is used to assist in rituals for banishing evil. Qing Cheng Shan has many temples which dot its sloping sides, among the hundreds of Daoists who reside in the jade-like temples of the holy mountain there must be equally as many peachwood swords. Hopefully, among so many powerful Daoists, any escaped demons can be trapped and returned to their infernal prison.
Zhang DaoLing
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