Delegation of Japanese Diaspora and Obaku Culture Visits Shizhu Mountain in Fuqing for Cultural Exchange

Japan-China Fuqing Chamber of Commerce　February 22, 2021, 9:58 PM

Fuqing, Fujian NewsOn the 22nd, at the invitation of Lin Wenqing, President of the Obaku Culture Promotion Association of Japan, and several Japanese Fujianese diaspora organizations, Lin Guanchao, researcher at the Kyoto Obaku Culture Research Institute, Zheng Songbo, Director of the Fuqing Liaison Office of the Japan-China Fuqing Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of the Fuqing Obaku Culture Promotion Association, and Nian Jiasheng, Secretary-General of the Fuqing Obaku Culture Promotion Association, visited Shizhu Mountain in Fuqing, Fujian for cultural exchange. The delegation was warmly welcomed and hosted by Daoist Master Xie Rongzeng, Vice President of the Chinese Daoist Association, President of the Fujian Provincial Daoist Association, and Abbot of the Shizhu Mountain Daoist Temple。

The delegation, accompanied by Daoist Priest Chen Dengping, Office Director of the Shizhu Mountain Daoist Temple, visited various sites, including Guanyin Hall, Xianjun Pavilion, Wenchang Tower, and Doumu Hall. Following the tour, Daoist Master Xie Rongzeng met the delegation in the reception hall for discussions and exchanges。

In early 2018, with the assistance of Fujianese-Japanese media professional Liu Lisheng and Lin Guanchao, the “Nine Immortals of the He Family” of Shizhu Mountain were enshrined in a Daoist temple in Tokyo. This became a new chapter in the cultural and friendly exchanges between China and Japan。

During the discussion, Daoist Master Xie Rongzeng explained that cultural heritage has existed here since the Western Han Dynasty, and over the long history, it developed into a harmonious coexistence of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.The belief in the "Nine Immortals of the He Family" is the central aspect of Daoist faith at Shizhu Mountain and is deeply rooted in Fujian's local culture.The Nine Immortals were originally nine brothers from the He family during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. They hailed from Linchuan, Jiangxi, and traveled great distances to Fujian. They first practiced spiritual cultivation in Fuzhou's Yushan, then moved south to Xiuyou's Jiuli Lake to attain enlightenment. Finally, they manifested their divine presence at Shizhu Mountain in Fuqing, offering guidance through dreams and bringing blessings to the people.Daoist Master Xie Rongzeng emphasized that Daoism is a traditional Chinese religion and an integral part of Chinese culture. Its principles, such as "following the way of nature" and "being like water, which benefits all things," hold profound relevance in contemporary society。

Master Xie noted that as Fujianese people emigrated overseas, the cultural faith in the Nine Immortals of Shizhu Mountain spread to various parts of the world."The nine brothers of the He Family's Nine Immortals have always stayed together, symbolizing the united spirit of Chinese people abroad, no matter where they reside," he added。

Members of the exchange delegation remarked that the recently discovered "Ziping Stone" at Shizhu Mountain bears witness to the historical connection between Yinyuan, the founder of the Huangbo sect, who crossed over to Japan, and Shizhu Mountain.In recent years, both China and Japan have established Huangbo Culture Promotion Associations, fostering cultural exchanges and enhancing friendly interactions between the two countries.Huangbo culture, originating in Fuqing, Fujian, has become a new bridge and link of friendship between China and Japan。

Delegation members noted that Japan is one of the primary overseas settlements for Fujianese people, particularly those from Fuqing.The large community of Fujianese expatriates in Japan hopes that the cultural faith in the Nine Immortals of Shizhu Mountain can be further spread in Japan to foster greater spiritual connection among overseas Fujianese communities.This need is especially pronounced during the pandemic, when Fujianese expatriates in Japan require psychological comfort and solace。

During the discussions, both sides reached a consensus on the next steps for enshrining the Nine Immortals of Shizhu Mountain in Japanese Fujianese communities and enhancing cultural exchanges related to Shizhu Mountain's dream culture between China and Japan。

Fuqing’s Shizhu Mountain, often praised as the "Dreamland of China," is the birthplace of the culture of dream-seeking and dream-realization.Since 2008, the Dream Culture Festival has served as a bridge, with the grand Shizhu Mountain Dream Culture Festival being held regularly. Taoist organizations from Fujian and Taiwan, as well as various regional groups and temples, have formed friendly alliances. The Nine Immortals of Shizhu Mountain have been enshrined in temples across Taiwan, strengthening ties between the Taoist communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.In recent years, the cultural faith in the Nine Immortals of Shizhu Mountain has also spread to Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and Hong Kong and Macau in China。