The Sacred Mountain as a Realm of Memory: Daoist Priests, Spirit Mediums, and the Officials at Mount Tai

Mount Tai has been a significant site for religious traditions in China since ancient times. Beginning with Édouard Émmannuel Chavannes’ comprehensive study of Mount Tai’s history and culture (Chavannes, 1910), subsequent documents have delved into various aspects of the mountain. However, despite there being a significant amount of literature available to introduce the history, culture, and religion of Mount Tai in both Chinese and Western languages (Naquin, 2022; Baker, 1925; Chavannes, 1910; Tschepe, 1906; Yu, 1987), the majority of historical and anthropological research has primarily focused on describing religious rituals and cultures using textual methodologies, and there appears to be a lack of research exploring the contemporary religious practice surrounding Mount Tai.

Based on the fieldwork conducted between September 2023 and January 2024, as well as a diachronic analysis of literature related to Mount Tai’s rituals and beliefs, this paper aims to analyze the collective memory about Mount Tai and the complex interactions among three key entities: Daoist Priests, spirit mediums, and the official state, and discuss them within contemporary Chinese society. Since each party firmly believes they possess the most accurate memory and understanding of Mount Tai, this has led them to establish broader influence and engage in competition for control over the discourse surrounding this sacred mountain.

Specifically, first, the Daoist memory about Mount Tai is an essential aspect of the collective memory surrounding this sacred mountain and their memory have endured for centuries. Daoist memory about Mount Tai is characterized by the belief that the mountain is a place of profound spiritual power. The mountain is seen as a meeting place between heaven and earth, where the natural elements converge in harmony. The Daoist memory of Mount Tai encompasses a range of practices, including meditation, ritual offerings, and the veneration of deities. Furthermore, Daoist priests have historically been involved in the management and maintenance of temples and shrines on Mount Tai. These priests have contributed to the preservation of the memory associated with these religious sites, ensuring that they remain an integral part of the belief system surrounding Mount Tai.

At the same time, this research also delves into the ongoing efforts by the state to heritage-ize the religious memory associated with Mount Tai. Mount Tai has long been intertwined with China's political rule, dating back to the ancient Fengshan ritual. This ceremonial practice involved rulers ascending Mount Tai, or other revered mountains, to partake in sacred offerings and seek divine blessings. There have been numerous proposals suggesting that Mount Tai should be designated as the national mountain, further emphasizing its political and cultural importance. Even in contemporary times, the Chinese government continues to showcase the significance of Mount Tai through various activities. Former leaders visit the mountain to pray for blessings, and during one Chinese New Year's Eve, bells were rung at midnight, adding a religious connotation to the festivities.

In addition to this contestation, believing that Bixia Yuanjun has been taking care of fox medium and other mediums, there are numerous spirit mediums active in the vicinity of Mount Tai. These mediums claim to offer healing services under the guise of “Mount Tai Old Grandma 泰山老奶奶” and organise pilgrimage ceremonies to Bixia Yuanjun on specific dates annually. Despite the fact that spirit mediums are recognized as superstition by both Daoist priests and officials, they did not disappear from the religious discourse on Mount Tai. On the contrary, they still play a prominent role in the religious practice at Mount Tai by praying for blessings and healing diseases.

However, in a bid to compete for control over the discourse surrounding Mount Tai, the government has taken measures to guide the tourism management department of Mount Tai. As part of this process, many temples have been categorized as "non-religious activity sites" and their management assigned to tourism personnel. Despite these changes, the research reveals that the memory and influence of religious practices by Mount Tai persist and spirit mediums are still exist, even within the official context.

“Lieux de mémoire” is developed by Pierre Norato describe places or sites that hold collective memory for a particular society or community, and this provides a framework for understanding the role of physical spaces in shaping collective memory, identity formation, and the construction of historical narratives within societies. Mount Tai can be considered a “lieu de mémoire”, it encompasses natural and artificial elements, carries both simple and ambiguous meanings, and operates in material, symbolic, and functional senses.

This paper delves into the profound and enduring struggle and compromise that have unfolded among these various parties. It argues that The divergent memory traditions among the different entities involved result in distinct activities and practices related to Mount Tai in present-day society, but the seemingly contradictory memories are, in fact, different facets of historical development. Moreover, it is precisely due to this protracted struggle and negotiation that Mount Tai has attained its status as China’s most significant sacred site. By examining the multifaceted dynamics and complexities, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between religious practices, state influence, and the emergence of alternative belief systems.