Mt. Lushan: Pilgrims' Journey on the Great Mountain with Significance for Man

LUSHAN, China, April 20, 2012/PRNewswire/ -- A major religious event "Pilgrims' Journey on the Great Mountain with Significance for Man - A Blessing Tour", hosted by Lushan Tourism Co., Ltd. was held on Lushan Mountain April 14 - April 15, 2012. A warm welcome ceremony was held at the mountain resort's Beishan Gate, and a press conference with more than thirty media agencies from across five provinces (Jiangsu, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui and Jiangxi). Then, a prayer ceremony was held at Lushan Five Religions Blessing Cultural Park, and leaders from several areas with religious significance gave welcome speeches. The next morning, another welcome event was held in Xiufeng Peak.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120420/CN90714-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120420/CN90714-b )

Mt. Lushan is known as a place of harmony and gathering point for five of the world's great religions. The Journey thoroughly embodies the spirit of the religious experience and rich expression of Chinese culture. The Lushan Tourism enthusiastically organized activities bringing together natural, religious, historical and cultural references. The tour included an intensive look at the history of the religions, tracing to the original sages and wise men and paying homage to holy sites while praying for good health and safety.

More than 3,000 guests registered via a participating travel agency. They explored the great temples and the holy sites that tell the development of the Chinese version of Buddhism, and the home of Pure Land Buddhism, China's most popular form of the religion. They then visited Xiufeng Peak for the most exquisite natural scenery in the region known as a favorite gathering place of ancient and contemporary Chinese poets, artists and scholars. The pilgrims took a moment to appreciate the unique time in history when Chinese and western cultures collided and profited from the exchanges. Lastly they experienced beauty and harmony in Five Religions Park. Lushan Tourism hopes that every guest was able to have a real opportunity to express their thanks for the beauty of life as they bring their blessings bring back to their hometowns.

Of special significance was the blessing tour and the Life Free Pond inauguration ceremony, held at the Five Religions Park with inspiring speeches, a ribbon cutting ceremony, a period of prayer, the symbolic blessing event where captive fish and birds are set free, receiving of prayer knots, and ringing the bell for blessings.