Gazetteer of Longhu Mountain 龙虎山志
Paul PengGazetteer of Longhu Mountain
Revised and compiled by Lou Jinyuan, a Taoist Priest of the Qing Dynasty, printed in the 5th year of the Qianlong reign (1740).
Sixteen volumes in total, included in the category of Topography of Palaces and Temples in Daoist Texts Outside the Canon.
The earliest gazetteer of Longhu Mountain appeared before the Yuan Dynasty. By the Qing Dynasty, Lou Jinyuan re-edited and compiled it on the basis of earlier records.
This gazetteer is preceded by Preface to the Reconstruction of the Gazetteer of Longhu Mountain written by Zhang Pengchong during the Qianlong period, as well as Lou Jinyuan’s own preface.
The work is rich in content and records the complete picture of Longhu Mountain before the Qing Dynasty.
Gazetteer of Longhu Mountain
This gazetteer is preceded by Preface to the Reconstruction of the Gazetteer of Longhu Mountain written by Zhang Pengchong during the Qianlong period, as well as Lou Jinyuan’s own preface.
Volume 1, Imperial Favors and Grants, records the imperial decrees and favors bestowed upon Longhu Mountain by Qing emperors, including the restoration of palaces and abbeys, titles granted to Celestial Masters, and inscribed plaques.
Volume 2, Mountains and Waters, describes natural landscapes such as mountains, waters, cliffs, rocks, grottoes, and wells.
Volumes 3 to 4, Palaces, Offices, Courts and Abbeys, record the historical evolution and construction of palaces, offices, courts and abbeys on Longhu Mountain through successive dynasties and their renovation in the contemporary period.
Volume 5, Historical Sites, records famous scenic spots and historical sites on the mountain through the ages, with an appendix of some nearby Buddhist temples.
Volume 6, Celestial Masters’ Hereditary Lineage, records brief biographies of the Celestial Masters from the 1st Celestial Master Zhang Ling to the 55th Celestial Master Zhang Xilin.
Volume 7 contains brief biographies and deeds of outstanding Taoists who lived in seclusion and cultivated the Dao on the mountain through successive dynasties.
Volume 8, Titles and Ranks, records the titles and ranks of Celestial Masters through the ages, as well as the change in the early Ming Dynasty: the title “Celestial Master” was replaced, and the Zhengyi Section Hereditary Celestial Master was appointed to administer Taoism under heaven and the hereditary system.
Volume 9, Fields and Taxes, records the imperial grants of land and exemptions of taxes and corvée labor for the Celestial Masters’ Residence of the Great Shangqing Palace over the dynasties.
Volumes 10 to 16, Arts and Letters, collect eulogies, imperial mandates, sayings, inscriptions, poems, records, prefaces, memorials, odes, inscriptions, approbations, postscripts and other writings by Celestial Masters and True Lords through the ages.
It is important material for researching the history of Longhu Mountain and Daozang.
The original gazetteer is now preserved in the Shanghai Library.
