The Deng Yuzhi 邓欲之

The Deng Yuzhi 邓欲之

Paul Peng

Deng Yuzhi (?–515)

Deng Yuzhi, also known as Deng Yu and respectfully called "Mr. Deng of Nanyue" by people of his time, had the courtesy name Yanda. He was a native of Jianping in Jingzhou during the Southern Dynasties (now part of Hubei Province, China).
From a young age, he aspired to become an immortal. He lived in seclusion on an extremely steep ridge of Nanyue (the Southern Mountain, one of China’s Five Great Mountains), where he built a small plank house to reside in. He practiced the art of "fú’ěr" (a Taoist cultivation method involving the ingestion of elixirs or sacred substances) and abstained from grain for over thirty years, sustaining himself only on mountain stream water and mica powder.
According to records in Annals of Hengyue and Comprehensive Mirror of Perfected Immortals and Practitioners of the Dao (Volume 33), he recited the Great Cavern Scripture (a core text of the Shangqing school of Taoism) day and night. His devotion moved Lady Wei (a revered Taoist immortal and transmitter of Shangqing scriptures) to descend from heaven and teach him the profound meanings of the scripture.
The Biographies of Recluses in History of the Southern Dynasties states that he gained the favor and trust of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty. He prepared alchemical elixirs for the emperor, and the emperor had the "Five Great Mountains Tower" built to store supplies and offerings for him. On every auspicious day, the emperor would personally visit him to pay homage.


In the 14th year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (515), Deng Yuzhi passed away peacefully without illness. Emperor Wu ordered Zhou She to write Biography of Deng Xuan (note: "Xuan" may be an alternative name or scribal variant of "Yuzhi"), which fully chronicled his life and deeds.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is one of the curators of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

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