The Daoist Shangguan 上官道人

Daoist Shangguan was a Taoist monk officially registered at Mount Qingcheng in Sichuan during the Northern Song Dynasty.

As recorded in Records of Mount Qingcheng: "He lived in a nest-like dwelling, practiced fuqi (the art of absorbing vital energy), and abstained from grain (a Taoist practice of avoiding staple foods to cultivate vitality). Even when he was over ninety years old, he remained light of body and strong in physique."

When Lu You (a renowned poet of the Song Dynasty) visited Mount Qingcheng, he met Daoist Shangguan at Zhangren Guan (Zhangren Temple). Lu You asked him about the art of health preservation, and the Daoist replied: "Bringing great peace to the nation and achieving eternal life are both beyond the capabilities of ordinary people. One should safeguard the country to prevent chaos, awaiting the emergence of talented individuals; and preserve one’s health to avoid premature death, waiting for the arrival of extraordinary people. Preventing chaos and avoiding premature death do not rely on extraordinary techniques—diligence alone is sufficient."

There is another account stating that he was a native of Nanping, Fujian in the Song Dynasty. He became a Taoist monk in his early years, lived in seclusion in the mountains, and practiced the arts of fuqi (absorbing vital energy) and bigu (abstaining from grain).

(Source: Records of Yanping Prefecture)