22. Jun 2007
Wutai Shan threatened by mining
(ICT; UDN) Wutai Shan, a mountain in mainland China sacred to Tibetan and Chinese Buddhists alike is paying a toll to mining activities in the vicinity, in particular the frequent use of powerful explosives, reports the Taiwanese United Daily News. The report states that due to blasting for mining operations, there is extensive damage to a stretch of valley between the west and central peaks; another peak between the south and west peaks has almost been "levelled", and statues at a Buddhist monastery close to one of the mining areas have been lost. On 18 May, a road to Mount Wutai was closed after a 100-plus-metre high dam of a mining company collapsed and caused a mud and rock flow. Wutai Shan is believed to be connected with Jampa/Jampelyang (Sanskt: Manjushri), Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and is considered one of the four sacred sites for Buddhists in China. It has more than 100 temples and monasteries. The Dalai Lama has also expressed an interest in going on a pilgrimage there.