The Bai Fuli 白复礼

Bai Fuli (?–1740) was a native of Suide, Shaanxi Province, during the Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty. His courtesy name was Huizhi, and his literary name was Zhaotuzi.

At the age of 19, he left his family and traveled eastward. He sought Taoist teachings at Huafeng Mountain and became a disciple of Ying Zhaodong. Later, he wandered as a Taoist monk to Yushui Guan (Yushui Taoist Temple) within the Pass (referring to the area inside the Shanhaiguan, a key pass in ancient China). There, he changed his name to Tongzhen and decided to settle down. After that, he went to Yunmen Palace on Emei Mountain in Jingyang County, where he paid respects to Wang Laihuai, listened to the transmission of the Longmen Sect’s doctrines, and received the Three Great Precepts through Taoist ordination.

Wang Laihuai entrusted him with the Great Dharma, and Bai Fuli became the 14th Precept-transmitting Taoist Preceptor. He devoted himself to cultivating the Dao and nurturing his nature, persisted in studying profound Taoist mysteries, discussed the subtle principles of "void and non-existence" (a core concept in Taoism), and explored the orthodox theories of the "Golden Elixir" (a key practice in Taoist inner alchemy). Within just a few years of his residence, the Taoist temple underwent a remarkable transformation. People of his time respectfully addressed him as "Venerable Tongzhen". In the 2nd year of the Qianlong reign (1737), he held a 100-day ceremony to expound on Taoist precepts and transmitted the teachings to his disciples.

In the 5th year of the Qianlong reign (1740), he passed away due to illness in the temple.

Detailed accounts of his life can be found in The Origin and Development of the Supreme Taoist Precepts Lineage.