62 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 8o 



two temples. Now the Buddhists are in control. Pilgrims from the 

 surrounding townships go to this mountain to worship. 



East of Suifu near Ngan Lin Ch'iao is I'uh Lai Shan, a Buddhist 

 sacred mountain. Its name means the mountain to which Buddha 

 came. A legend relates that one of the Buddhas in a temple on this 

 mountain flew there. Large numbers of pilgrims go to Fuh Lai Shan 

 from nearby districts. The mountain stands out conspicuously above 

 the surrounding hills, and its top is covered with trees. 



Washan, possibly the highest mountain in central Szechuan, is also 

 a sacred mountain with many natural wonders. On every side is a 

 sheer precipice, with only one path over an unbelievably narrow 

 ridge by which one can ascend to the summit. Near the top one can 

 only proceed by climbing perpendicular clififs by means of ladders. 

 This beautiful and majestic mountain stands out above its neighbors, 

 and has long been a sacred mountain. In former years three temples 

 were located on the top, but now there is only one, which is visited 

 by pilgrims from nearby towns and farms. Alt. Omei has over- 

 shadowed Washam as a sacred mountain. 



Virgil C. Hart, in " Western China,'' .^ays that Alt. Omei is a center 

 of natural wonders the like of which may not be found elsewhere on 

 the globe. On the Chinese map of Mt. Omei prepared for pilgrims 

 there are three short poems or verses expressing the ]iro found feelings 

 and emotions that stir the hearts of the worshippers becau.se of the 

 wonderful natural beauties of the mountain and its religious associa- 

 tions. Free translations are given below : 



The land of the eastern dawn is near heaven. 

 At the parting of the clouds P'nshien is visible. 

 The picture revealed cannot be fully comprehended, 

 But many glorious peaks can be seen. 



To here the Kuen Luen Range extends its veins. 

 A great marvel is this. 

 Heaven borrows the stars to display it, 



And in all the seven layers (of the mountain) the caves open (to display 

 wonders). 



P'nshien came out of the west. 



Tiie King of Han named this spread-light i)recipicc. 



Uen Gioh of the T'ang Dynasty was here exalted (to divine rank). 



In the Manchu Dynasty there appeared here a living P'nshien. 



May his majesty reveal himself on this mountain-top. 



Ten thousand bright lights fly over the abyss to welcome him. 



One of the earliest Euro])eans to travel in west China was Iv Col- 

 borne Babcr. whose article. Travels and Txesearclu's in the Interior of 



