Buddhists regard the mountains as being the 'Gateway to the Gods', and is their main reason for building their temples all the way up to the summit. As we progress through deepening our yoga practice we will visit the next temple up the mountain until the temple at the summit. Inclusive services include certified yoga teachers Vedantin, Bryan, and others from SchoolYoga Institute led daily sadhana practice and guide daily events.

See pictures from the 2007 Retreats and Yoga Teacher Training Course.

Sacred Mountain Yoga Retreats (click here for more info)
July 12 -August 9, 2007

• 7 days, $1,125, 10 days, $1,500 or more
  
• Daily sadhana practices: hatha flow, vinyasa flow, pranayama, meditation, chanting, kriyas, yoga sutras, and yoga theory and practice
  
• Daily hikes to scenic spots and monasterys
  
• Mountain-side accommodation
  
• Catered healthy vegetarian meals
  
• Special excursions to exquisite places
  
• Daily pampering (massage or hot spring)
  
• Stay more than 14 days, 10% discount
  
• Group discounts available

200 and 500 Hour Teacher Training Certification(click here)
July 12 -August 9, 2007

• Sequenced Hatha Flow and Vinyasa Flow, Pranayama, Meditation,
• Chanting, Kriyas, Yoga Sutras, Yoga Theory and Practice, Yoga
• Anatomy, Yoga Nutrition, Karma Yoga
  
• Located in the sacred Buddhist mountain (over 10,000 feet tall)
  
• Daily hikes to scenic spots and monasterys
  
• Mountain-side accommodation
  
• Catered healthy vegetarian meals
  
• Yoga living lifestyle
  
• Weekly special excursions to exquisite places
  
• Weekly pampering (massage and hot spring)

Certification Options:
500 hour RYT trining (for teachers with previous 200 hour RYT) (28 days) $3,500
200 hour RYT training (28 days) $3,500
Level 2 Certificate (20 days) $2,500
Level 1 Certificate (10 days) $1,500

Sacred Mountain Emei, China

Mt.Emei lies in the southern area of Sichuan basin in China. Mt. Emei is one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. It is said that Mt. Emei derived its name from two peaks which face each other and look like eyebrows. The whole mountain range extends over 200 kilometers in length and breadth. Ever since the introduction of Buddhism into China in the 1st century AD, Buddhist buildings have been built on the mountain. Now there are more than one hundred temples and monasteries. It is known as the place of Buddhist Rites of Puxian.

Mt. Emei is rich in natural and cultural heritage and carries several impressions and expressions: "Kingdom of Plants"," Paradise of Animals"," Geological Museum", "Buddhist Celestial Mountain", " Elegance of Mt.Emei Under The Sun". The Four Wonders of Mt.Emei Golden Summit are Sunrise, sea of clouds, Buddha's Halo and the Holy Lamp. The main attractions include the Baoguo Temple, Fuhu Temple, Leiyin Temple and many other spots. In 1996, Mt. Emei and the Grand Buddha in Leshan were included in the List of the World Famous Cultural Relics.

One passes through four seasons in a day in the 5 kilometers from the base to the summit. The hike takes most people a full day up and a full day back down; the monasteries along the way. As you make your way up, expect to encounter plenty of pilgrims trudging their way steadily upward. The stamina of some of the older pilgrims is sure to surprise you. The monkeys in the mountain are really playful. We will hike to and visit most of the monasteries.

Mt.Emei is one of the most attractive destinies in China. It lies 150 kilometers (90 miles) away from Chengdu (gateway to Tibet), Sichuan province, 130 kilometers from the Shuangliu International Airport (you will be picked at this airport) and only 28 kilometers from Leshan city where the biggest Buddha Statue in the world. We will take  day trip to visit the sacred place.

History and location

It was in 600 BC when an Indian monk ventured along what is known as the 'Tibetan Silk Road' into China (or Cinisthana as it was called then). While in the vicinity of Chentu (Chengtu), Szechwan province, he discovered and climbed a mountain, when he got to the top he was fascinated by the beautiful scenery and said 'This is the number one mountain in Cinisthana'. Ever since then Emei mountain has been one of the four Buddhist sacred mountain temples in China. The other three sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism are in the provinces of Shansi (Wutai), Chekiang (Putuo), and Anhui (Jiuhua).

The Emei Monasteries were very isolated from the rest of the world, and are to be found 150 miles to the south south west (halfway between south west and south) of Chentu in a remote part of the Szechwan province in western China. It has been suggested that Emei Mountain gets its name from the two peaks that face each other and look like a pair of eyebrows.

Buddhists regard mountains as being the 'Gateway to the Gods', and is their main reason for building their temples all the way up to the summit. Once there were one hundred Temples or monasteries built on Emei Mountain, but now these have been reduced to twenty. The reason for the drastic reduction was during the Taiping Rebellion in 1850 to 1864 when Chinese Christians destroyed most of the Buddhist monasteries and temples.

As the monks progressed through their religious education they moved to the next temple up the mountain. When they had attained their highest position, and could go no further, they found themselves at the temple at the summit. At the summit of Emei Mountain is the monastery known as the 'Golden Summit' or 'Huacang Temple'. This temple originally had a roof made entirely of copper bronze which reflected the sun's rays making it appear golden and hence its name. Because the temple had suffered the ravages of fire three times in its life, the roof is now made of tiles.

At the foot of Emei Mountain is a very fertile region known as the Szechuan Basin. Through this Basin runs the famous Yangtze River (or Yangtze Kiang) before making its long journey across China to join the sea at Shanghai. The Yangtze River is a natural dividing line separating north and south China.

Buddhist Faith

Chinese Buddhism, which incidentally was known as 'Showcase Buddhism', was formed from a mixture of the original (Indian) Buddhism and Nestorian Christianity. This link was established when Genghis Khan captured the Keraits who were devout Nestorians, and his son (Tuli) married one of their princesses. She later became the mother of three Mongol rulers, one of who, Kublai Khan, became the first Mongol Emperor of all China. Genghis was an ardent Buddhist. It was decided to name the capital of China Cumbulac, which is now known as Peking (Beijing). Cumbulac also became the seat of Nestorian Christianity at the same time.

In 1908 Pelliot, in a Buddhist Grotto at Tunhang, discovered a Christian manuscript, of Nestorian origin, written in Chinese from the 8th Century in the northwestern corner of Kansu province. This manuscript contained a hymn to the Holy Trinity and a list of 35 Christian books, proving the close relationship between the two religions.

The two Buddhist faiths, Hinyana (the original Indian doctrine) and Mahayana (the Chinese version) were known as 'The little Ferry boat' and 'The great Ferry boat' respectively. Because of the more liberal attitude of the Mahayana faith it was considered that it would carry more people to the farthest shore of enlightenment, whereas the restrictive teachings of the Hinyana would not carry as many into the faith.

One of the Buddhist commandments, of which they also had ten, says 'Thou shall not kill'. This commandment means that no animal, fish, or fowl should be killed for food, and results in all Buddhists being vegetarians.

Many reference works use the word - monastics - as the collective noun for monks and nuns, but in the Buddhist faith there are very few nuns.

Baoguo Monastery

Baoguo Monastery is the biggest monastery at the base of the mountain. This monastery was built in the 16th century, enlarged in the 17th century, and rebuilt in recent years. There are three treasures in this monastery: one is a 3.5-meter porcelain Buddha, the other is 7-meter 14-storied cupreous tower and another one is 2.3-meter great cupreous bell weighing 25 tons. To the left of the gate is a rockery for potted miniature trees and rare plants. Many monks reside there and practice their rituals daily. We will meditate and chant in this monastery daily with the residential monks. It is about five minutes walk from our hotel.

Wannian Monastery

The Wannian Monastery is the largest of the eight monasteries to be found on Mount Emei. It is dedicated to Bodhisattva Puxian who was famous for his preaching. The monastery is where the majority of tourists will start out on their climb to the summit of Mount Emei. We will hike to there and pay a visit as one of our day hikes.
 
The monastery was built originally during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) and was known as the Puxian Temple. It became known as the Baishui Temple during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was renamed Baishui Puxian Temple in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). In the 29th year of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the name was changed to Wannian Monastery in honor of the queen mother's birthday and has remained ever since.

The buildings have been severely damaged on a number of occasions over the centuries and the Brick Hall (built in 1601) is the only one to remain in its original form. This Hall is in the Indian architectural style. The domed ceiling over the quadrate body of the hall reflects the ancient concept of heaven being round while the earth is square. The entire hall is constructed from brick and stone without the use of any form of girders. Inside there is a magnificent bronze statue of Bodhisattva Puxian mounted on a white elephant. Despite several fires and earthquakes, the hall and the 62-ton statue have survived and are in a very good state of preservation. Together they are a wonderful reminder of the skills and artistry that for so many centuries has been a feature of China and its long established civilization.

Autumn adds its own spectacle at the Wannian Monastery as the red leaves on the trees are reflected in the pond. The breeze causes red ripples to run over the water as it glistens in the sunlight. So enthralling! Clap your hands and you may then hear the sound of the frogs, which is said to emulate an ancient zither. Yet another magical touch to your wonderful tour.

Qingyin Pavilion
Qingyin Pavilion, also called Woyun Temple, is located at the junction of Heilong and Bailong Streams. It is one of the famous spots on Mount Emei about 710 meters or 2,367 feet above sea level and 15 kilometres from Baoguo Monastery. Nearby the pavilion is a huge "cattle-heart" shaped rock, hence the name "Cattle Heart Stone". Underneath the stone is a "Double Flying Kiosk" around which lie two bridges on both sides. The two bridges seem to look like the wings of the kiosk, so it was named "Double Flying Bridges". The cascading waters of the two streams under the bridges impinges against the "Cattle Heart Stone" and splashes on all directions like broken pieces of crystal pearls and jade which also emits the sweetest and purest sound of nature.

Visitors would really appreciate the beautiful scenery and would bring great joy hearing the music of nature! We for sure will hike there, take a dip if you are brave enough jumping into a mountain stream, and have a meditation session there while listening the sound of water falls, birds, and forest. 

GoldenSummit

Spending some time on the Golden Summit is a must when people visit the mountain.  We as matter of fact will even spend night on the summit and experience the wonders and energy at above 13000 feet. It earns the name "Golden Summit", because the roof of the original temple was coated with bronze. The site is a prime tourist attraction, many of those who come to the summit to see four marvelous spectacles: sunrise, sea of clouds, Buddha's Aureole and Divine Lights.

We will get up early to watch the sun rise and enjoy the spectacle from a bird point of view. The best time for watching this is about 5:00-6:00 am. The Sea of Clouds is also wonderful. If the weather permits, you can clearly observe the different movements of these lovely clouds. Sometimes they form into a soft "cloud blanket", sometimes "cloud billows", "clouds peaks"; or a cotton-like "cloud regiment". It seems that they must have a life of their own and want to play games with us. The supernatural Buddha's Aureole occurs when sunlight diffracts onto the clouds. After a snow or rain, you will find your shadow covered with a colorful aureole moving with you. At night you will notice millions of dot-like tiny lights twinkling and wavering, as if you were placed in the Milky Way. The source of these "Divine Lights" is still unknown - are they from a firefly, wildfire or something else?

Climbing to the summit and getting up early can be a bit of work, but when you experience these rare wonders in the world you can't help marveling at them and feeling they are worth the effort.