Gathering medicines among the cypress: the relationship between healing and place in the earliest records of Mount Wutai

Early accounts of Mount Wutai, preserved in seventh-century texts, reveal that its significance as a Buddhist sacred site was not solely tied to its association with the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī (Wenshu). Instead, the mountain's reputation for hosting medicinal substances and promoting longevity played a pivotal role in shaping its religious identity. This study highlights how the presence of curatives and longevity-promoting elements in ancient narratives contributed to Mount Wutai's textual construction as a revered Buddhist place during this period.

Andrews, S. (2019). Gathering medicines among the cypress: the relationship between healing and place in the earliest records of Mount Wutai. Studies in Chinese Religions, 5(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/23729988.2019.1630966