Destroying History to Save History

The Guardian reports that the government of China may bulldoze an ancient village on a mountain sacred to Buddhism to enhance a potential world heritage site.

The town is Taihuai, which is nestled among the five peaks of Wutai Mountain, in Shanxi Province. Buddhism came to Wutai 2,000 years ago, and in folklore Wutai is the dwelling place of Manjusri Bodhisattva.

The government of China wants the area to be recognized by UNESCO as world heritage site, but fears UNESCO would not approve of the cafes and souvenir shops sprawling about the old village. To enhance the area near the temples, most of Taihuai will be relocated about nine miles away to a new facility, still being built.

Tania Branigan reports that the people of Taihuai already are being forcibly evicted from their homes, even though the new village isn't ready to be lived in. The people also fear being moved too far away from the tourists who are their chief source of income. In a petition they took to Beijing, Wutai Mountain residents said, "Us ordinary folk feel that we are being invaded, bullied and fooled. Is everyone equal before the law?"

Taihuai villagers protected the temples during the Japanese occupation and again during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Now they feel there is no one to protect them.

Photo Caption: The White Pagoda of Tayuan Temple, Wutai Mountain (Wutai Shan), Shanxi, China. The temple was built in the 16th century.

Photo Credit: © Zhi Yuan Tan | Dreamstime.com