Wudang Blessed Land Compendium 武当福地总真集

Compiled by Liu Daoming, a Taoist priest of Wudang Mountain in the Yuan Dynasty.

Completed in the Xinhai year of the Zhiyuan reign (1291).

Three volumes, included in the Biographical Category of the Dongshen Section of the Daozang.

Wudang Blessed Land Compendium

This book records the scenic wonders and historical Taoist sites of Wudang Mountain. Located in present-day Danjiangkou City, Hubei Province, the mountain stretches about six hundred li, with steep terrain and numerous spectacular peaks. According to legend, the Dark Emperor (i.e., the Zhenwu) cultivated the Dao and attained immortality here, hence Taoists regard it as the blessed land of Wudang. Since the Song and Yuan dynasties, Taoism has flourished on the mountain, which is home to numerous palaces, temples, and divine miracles.

The first two volumes give detailed accounts of the scenic spots of Wudang Mountain, including the Seventy‑two Peaks, Thirty‑six Crags, Twenty‑four Ravines, terraces, pools, grottos, and caves. They also describe the construction history of palaces and temples such as the Five Dragons Palace, Purple Cloud Palace, Blessing Holy Temple, and Queen Mother Palace, as well as sacred sites including the Grinding Needle Rock, Sword Testing Rock, Three Heavenly Gates, and Langmei Shrine, together with immortal birds, divine beasts, exotic herbs, and numinous trees.

The third volume first records the myths and biographies of the Dark Emperor Zhenwu and the historical facts of the honorific titles conferred on Zhenwu in the Song Dynasty. It then documents more than twenty renowned masters who cultivated the Dao and attained immortality on Wudang Mountain through the ages, including Guan Yin, Yin Gui, Yin Changsheng, Yao Jian, Chen Tuan, Sun Jiran, Cao Guanmiao, Tang Fengxian, Wang Zhenchang, Lu Dongyun, and Ye Yunlai.

This book is of great reference value for the study of the history of Taoism on Wudang Mountain during the Song and Yuan dynasties.