The Chen Kefu 陈可复

Chen Kefu was a native of Dinghai County in Qingyuan Circuit (now part of Zhejiang Province) in the early Yuan Dynasty. His courtesy name was Fuxin, and his literary name was Leigu (Valley of Thunder).

At the age of 14, he became a Taoist monk under Chen Yuzhen, who went by the Taoist title "Guanmiao Baozhen" (Observer of Marvels, Preserver of Truth). Chen Yuzhen had studied under Wang Shiquan and mastered the Thunder Method (a Taoist esoteric practice for invoking ghosts and gods), which was highly effective in spiritual manifestations. This method had been passed down through a single lineage for generations, and Chen Yuzhen thus imparted the entire method to Chen Kefu. Chen Kefu later practiced Taoism in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. In the 14th year of the Zhiyuan era (1277), after Chen Yuzhen passed away, Chen Kefu began to study the doctrine of "the nature of heaven and humanity" (a philosophical system integrating cosmic principles and human life). He studied scriptures under Mr. Xiantiandao Shan (Master of the Primordial Dao Mountain) for five years, fully grasping the profound essentials of various schools of thought centered on the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate).

From then on, Chen Kefu achieved harmony between the internal (spiritual) and external (material) realms, and his practices reached a state of natural perfection. He was quite effective in summoning wind and rain. In the 27th year of the Zhiyuan era (1290), an imperial decree was issued to seek out accomplished Taoists, and Chen Kefu was the first to be recruited.

In the 29th year of the Zhiyuan era (1292), he followed the imperial procession to Shangdu (the summer capital) to pray for rain and stop snow. For this, he was conferred the title of "Dharma Master of Taiji’s Spiritual Marvels and Propagation of the Teachings" ("Taiji Lingmiao Hongjiao Fashi").

In the 31st year of the Zhiyuan era (1294), he was appointed by imperial decree as the Zhuchi Tiandian (Abbot-Supervisor) of Wuzhen Temple in Qingyuan Circuit. Later, he was promoted to Daolu (Taoist Registrar) of Qingyuan Circuit.

He had two prominent disciples: Chen Shisu, who served as Daopan (Taoist Judge) of Qingyuan Circuit, and Lü Zhenheng, who held the position of Daolu (Taoist Registrar) of Qingyuan Circuit.

Among those who received and inherited his Thunder Method (the practice for which he was most renowned) were Sun Yiqian, Xia Wenyong, Ji Tianren, Dong Chuqian, Wei Youcheng, and Ma Wenxing.