The Chen Deding 陈德定

Chen Deding was a native of Yan'an during the Jin and Yuan dynasties, and he went by the Taoist title "Tongzhenzi" (Master of Penetrating Truth).

He studied under Qiu Zhilong, a disciple of Yin Qinghe (a prominent Taoist master), and concurrently practiced Taoist talismanic arts and rituals. He resided in the Zhongnan Mountains for over forty years, sustaining himself by farming (i.e., he only ate after tilling the land), and his reputation flourished in the Qin and Yong regions (ancient areas roughly covering parts of present-day Shaanxi and Gansu provinces). In the 27th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1290), Emperor Shizu (Kublai Khan) summoned him to the imperial court. After Chen’s talismanic arts and Taoist practices were verified to be effective (in rituals or for resolving matters), the emperor bestowed upon him a jade tripod and a sable coat as rewards.

In the 2nd year of the Yuanzhen era of Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1296), Chen Deding was granted the Taoist title "Louxuan Zhidao Tongzhen Fashi" (Dharma Master of Lofty Mystery, Attaining the Dao, and Penetrating Truth).

Accounts of his life and deeds can be found in Stele Inscription on the Life and Daoist Deeds of Master Yin Qinghe written by Wang Yun of the Yuan Dynasty.