Pusading (菩萨顶), situated on Lingjiu Peak to the north of Xiantong Temple in Taihuai Town on Mount Wutai, is the largest Yellow Sect (Gelug) temple on the mountain. Spanning 45 acres, Pusading consists of over 430 halls and buildings. It is traditionally regarded as the bodhimanda (place of enlightenment) of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and is also known as Zhenrong Temple or the Great Manjushri Temple. Pusading is one of the five great meditation centers on Mount Wutai, a sacred Buddhist site.
The temple’s origins date back to the Northern Wei Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen (471–499). Throughout the centuries, Pusading has undergone several renovations, with significant rebuilding efforts occurring during the Ming Dynasty. Following the Yongle period (1402–1424), the temple became a central hub for Tibetan Buddhism on Mount Wutai, particularly after Tibetan and Mongolian followers of the Yellow Sect settled there. This elevated Pusading to the status of the most important Yellow Sect temple on the mountain. The temple gained even greater prominence during the Qing Dynasty when Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong made several pilgrimages to Mount Wutai, staying at Pusading during their visits. The emperors bestowed gifts upon the temple, including the official seal of the Chief Lama, and mandated that provincial officials, including the Governor of Shanxi, the General of Datong, and the Daotai of Dai Prefecture, offer tributes to the Chief Lama of Pusading.
Within the temple grounds, visitors can find several important structures, including the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Bodhisattva Hall, and the Grand Hall of the Great Hero. These buildings are adorned with roofs covered in colorful glazed tiles, creating a vibrant and majestic appearance. Despite centuries of exposure to the elements, the glazed tiles have retained their brilliant colors. In the eastern Zen courtyard stands a stele pavilion, home to two imperial steles erected by Emperor Qianlong. Each stele, towering six meters high, bears inscriptions in four languages: Chinese, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan. The inscriptions briefly recount the history of Pusading and the emperor’s pilgrimages to Mount Wutai, with the calligraphy reflecting a fluid and grand style.
The current structures at Pusading were all rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, with their designs and construction methods heavily influenced by the architecture of the imperial palace. As a result, the temple exudes an air of opulence and grandeur, particularly notable in its intricate carvings, which are among the most prized artistic features of the temple.
The name “Pusading” comes from the Manchu language and translates to “the residence of Manjushri.” The temple’s long history is deeply intertwined with the royal family, and by the Qing Dynasty, it had essentially become an imperial temple, enjoying an exceptionally high status. Ascending the 108 stone steps leading to the temple is symbolic in Buddhist teachings, representing the act of trampling upon the 108 earthly troubles. Upon reaching the top, one is greeted by a spectacular panorama: the distant mountains, the clouds above, the nearby Qing River, and the imposing temple complex. This scenic vantage point truly encapsulates the essence of “spiritual peaks and blessed land.”
