Figures of Taoism: Wang Bao 王褒

Wang Bao (510–574) was a litterateur of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.

Styled Ziyuan, he was from Linyi, Langya (now part of Shandong Province). During the Liang Dynasty, he served as a Secretary Lang, Crown Prince's Retainer, General of Zhiwu, Interior Minister of Nanping, Palace Attendant, and Minister of Personnel, and inherited the title of Marquis of Nanchang County. He followed Emperor Yuan of Liang in the expedition to Jiangling; after the army was defeated, he surrendered to the Northern Zhou Dynasty and was treated with courtesy upon arriving in Chang'an. During the reign of Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou, he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Shiquan County, and later served as Junior Protector of the Crown Prince and Minor Minister of Works. He had an extensive knowledge of historical records and biographies and was skilled in writing. In literature, he was as famous as Yu Xin.

Philosophically, he advocated the integration of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, believing that each of the three had its own characteristics and could be incorporated comprehensively. He said: "Confucianism emphasizes the hierarchy of respect and inferiority, the gradation of good and bad fortune, with the ruler facing south and the minister facing north—which is the principle of heaven and earth; the tripods and 俎 being odd in number while the bamboo baskets and wooden bowls being even—which is the principle of yin and yang. Taoism advocates discarding the body, abolishing intelligence, abandoning righteousness and repudiating benevolence, and separating from form to cast off wisdom. The essence of Buddhism lies in recognizing suffering, cutting off habitual tendencies, verifying nirvana and following the path, clarifying causes and distinguishing fruits, and transforming the ordinary into the sage. Although these teachings are hierarchical, their essence lies in guiding people [toward goodness]. I began learning in my childhood and continued until the age of understanding destiny. I both revered the teachings of Zhou [Gong] and Confucius and followed the discussions of Laozi and the Buddha" (Collected Works of Minister Wang·Instructions for Youth).

However, he held Taoism and Taoist teachings in higher regard and embraced Taoist techniques for longevity. He said: "In the past, due to frequent illnesses, I eagerly studied the methods of the nine immortals.... I often listened to discussions on the 'mysterious female' [a Taoist concept] in the superior classics expounding the Dao; and I always followed the theories of cinnabar in the Chinese medicines for nourishing the spirit" (Book of Zhou·Biography of Wang Bao).

He also believed that "heaven and earth can last long, and immortals live endlessly" (Collected Works of Minister Wang·On Light Ascension).

His biography is recorded in Book of Zhou (Volume 41). Scholars of the Ming Dynasty compiled his works into Collected Works of Minister Wang.