ARTICLE Why are mountains
still sacred? by Dr Adrian Cooper
Mountains are among the most extraordinary and fascinat- ing environments on Earth. Their epic scale in the physical landscape, and in our memories and imagination, has been a part of human con- sciousness since the dawn of humanity. There has never been a period in human history when mountains have not challenged us, nor failed to inspire.
Given the extreme character of mountains, it is natural for travellers, pilgrims, tourists and others to turn to literature as a way of making sense of mountains. Words on a printed page are often found to be a mirror of the experiences which readers encounter with mountains. For writers too, they often produce their work to make sense of their encounters with profound ordeal or inspiration
Within both the physical and emotional challenges of mountain landscapes, there are a host of beguiling paradoxes. Simultaneously, mountains have an overwhelm- ing physical immanence, as well as a transcendence which is reflected within the literature of mountains. Often, that literature draws from an ancient religious or mystical tradition. Psalm 121.1 captures this truth where it tells the reader “I lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where shall my help come?” In the same way, the epic Sanskrit poem called Kumārasambhava, by Kālidāsa, tells us that the Himalayan mountains are “a source of endless jewels which snow does nothing to diminish”. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Po also captures this paradox of mountains being both a physical reality, as well as a transcendent realm:
Why, you ask, do I live up in these blue mountains? I smile and do not reply. Leave me in peace. Peach blossoms drift on waves of flowing water,
There is another sky, another earth, beyond the world of men.
Alongside the paradox of immanence and transcendence within mountain land- scapes, there is a further paradox surrounding the fact that mountains inspire both fear and fascination. Whether it is from avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, vol- canoes or other natural terrors, mountains are undeniably landscapes of fear. And yet, who can resist mountain travel, whether it is to walk, ski, climb or explore? The Taoist sage Ko Hung captures this paradox brilliantly in his P’ao-p’u tzu nei- p’ien 17.1a:
All the mountains, whether large or small, are haunted by supernatural beings: Great ones on the great mountains, little ones on the little mountains. And if one does not take appropriate precautionary measures, they will afflict one with sick- ness, injuries, vexations, terror and anguish…. Great trees will crash down on him
London & South East Connection - April/July 2017 15
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