The Dong Shiyuan 蔡如金

The Dong Shiyuan 蔡如金

Paul Peng
Cai Rujin was a native of Quanzhou during the mid-Tang Dynasty. Also known by the alternative name Nanyu, his courtesy name was Shubao.

His ancestral home was Kuaiji. His grandfather, Cai Kui, served as the Jiedushi (Military Governor) of Lingnan. In the Yonghui era (650-655 AD) of the Tang Dynasty, Cai Kui passed away while traveling to Quanzhou, so the family settled there permanently.

When Cai Rujin grew up, he entered official service and held the position of Yuanwailang (a mid-level official in the Tang Dynasty central government).

In his later years, he resigned from his official post and retreated to live in seclusion at the Jingsi Courtyard of the Ziji Palace on Qingyuan Mountain in Quanzhou.

There, he practiced the Taoist arts of fuqi (breathing cultivation to absorb vital energy) and bigu (abstaining from grain to achieve spiritual refinement). He also built an alchemical furnace in the Zize Cave.

Skilled in Taoist practices, he often used alchemical elixirs to help and heal people.

He died during the Dali era (766-779 AD).

In the Chongning era (1102-1106 AD) of the Song Dynasty, he was posthumously granted the title "Xuying Xiansheng" (Mr. Responsive to the Void). Later, additional honorific titles—"Shanli" (Beneficent and Beneficial) and "Lingji" (Numinous and Saving)—were added. In the 13th year of the Jiading era (1220 AD), an imperial edict further conferred on him the title "Zhaobo Zhenren" (True Person of Illustrious Erudition).

(Source: Records of Quanzhou Prefecture)
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.

Read his full story →
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