Feng Zhiheng: Architect of Quanzhen Succession

Feng Zhiheng (1180-1254) was a native of Pingyi in Tongzhou (now Dali County, Shaanxi Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties.

His courtesy name was Botong, and his Taoist title was Jizhao.

In the first year of the Chongqing era (1212), Ao Tunsu, the Jiedushi (Military Governor) of his native prefecture, invited Feng Zhiheng to take charge of educational affairs on his behalf, but Feng declined the offer.

When the Mongol army launched a western expedition, Feng crossed the Yellow River northward and took up residence in Dexing, where he lived in seclusion and rarely went out. In the second year of the Yuanguang era of Emperor Xuanzong of the Jin Dynasty (1223), Qiu Changchun (a renowned Quanzhen Taoist master) returned from the Western Regions. Feng Zhiheng then paid respects to Qiu and became his disciple, and later accompanied Qiu back to Yanjing (modern-day Beijing).

After Qiu Changchun passed away, Yin Qinghe (posthumously known as Master Qinghe) refused to take up the position of leader of the Quanzhen School and even shut his door to avoid it. Feng Zhiheng broke through a window to enter, helped Yin Qinghe to the main hall, and insisted that he assume the leadership position.

In the ninth year of the Taizong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1237), Feng Zhiheng followed the etiquette for supporting and protecting the Quanzhen leader, and established Master Zhenchang as the successor to the Quanzhen leadership. The fact that Feng assisted two generations of Quanzhen leaders (Yin Qinghe and Zhenchang) with proper conduct in both assuming and retiring from office was largely due to his efforts.

Feng Zhiheng was ordered by the imperial court to teach the children of the imperial clan. He selected children from common families who were gentle, respectful, and of good character to serve as study companions for the imperial children. He taught classics such as The Classic of Filial Piety, The Analects of Confucius, Mencius, The Doctrine of the Mean, and The Great Learning, enabling the students to become increasingly enlightened and understand that the foundation of governing a country and bringing peace to the world begins with rectifying one’s mind and nurturing sincere intentions. He also built more than ten Taoist temples and hermitages, providing places for Taoist practitioners to cultivate their faith and improve their spiritual practice.

In the third year of the Dingzong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1248), Grand Master Zhenchang, in accordance with imperial grace regulations, bestowed upon Feng Zhiheng a golden canopy and a purple robe (symbols of high honor in Taoist and imperial contexts), promoted him to the position of Chief Daoist Registrar of the Quanzhen School (in charge of managing all Taoist affairs of the school), and granted him the Taoist title “Great Master of Assisting Mystery and Silent Illumination.”

Feng Zhiheng passed away due to illness in the fourth year of the Xianzong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1254) at the age of 75.

His well-known disciples included Xue Deju and Yao Zhixuan.

Detailed accounts of his life and deeds can be found in Volume 6 of Ganshui Xianyuan Lu (Records of Immortal Origins from Sweet Waters).

(1180-1254) was a native of Pingyi in Tongzhou (now Dali County, Shaanxi Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties.

His courtesy name was Botong, and his Taoist title was Jizhao.

In the first year of the Chongqing era (1212), Ao Tunsu, the Jiedushi (Military Governor) of his native prefecture, invited Feng Zhiheng to take charge of educational affairs on his behalf, but Feng declined the offer.

When the Mongol army launched a western expedition, Feng crossed the Yellow River northward and took up residence in Dexing, where he lived in seclusion and rarely went out. In the second year of the Yuanguang era of Emperor Xuanzong of the Jin Dynasty (1223), Qiu Changchun (a renowned Quanzhen Taoist master) returned from the Western Regions. Feng Zhiheng then paid respects to Qiu and became his disciple, and later accompanied Qiu back to Yanjing (modern-day Beijing).

After Qiu Changchun passed away, Yin Qinghe (posthumously known as Master Qinghe) refused to take up the position of leader of the Quanzhen School and even shut his door to avoid it. Feng Zhiheng broke through a window to enter, helped Yin Qinghe to the main hall, and insisted that he assume the leadership position.

In the ninth year of the Taizong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1237), Feng Zhiheng followed the etiquette for supporting and protecting the Quanzhen leader, and established Master Zhenchang as the successor to the Quanzhen leadership. The fact that Feng assisted two generations of Quanzhen leaders (Yin Qinghe and Zhenchang) with proper conduct in both assuming and retiring from office was largely due to his efforts.

Feng Zhiheng was ordered by the imperial court to teach the children of the imperial clan. He selected children from common families who were gentle, respectful, and of good character to serve as study companions for the imperial children. He taught classics such as The Classic of Filial Piety, The Analects of Confucius, Mencius, The Doctrine of the Mean, and The Great Learning, enabling the students to become increasingly enlightened and understand that the foundation of governing a country and bringing peace to the world begins with rectifying one’s mind and nurturing sincere intentions. He also built more than ten Taoist temples and hermitages, providing places for Taoist practitioners to cultivate their faith and improve their spiritual practice.

In the third year of the Dingzong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1248), Grand Master Zhenchang, in accordance with imperial grace regulations, bestowed upon Feng Zhiheng a golden canopy and a purple robe (symbols of high honor in Taoist and imperial contexts), promoted him to the position of Chief Daoist Registrar of the Quanzhen School (in charge of managing all Taoist affairs of the school), and granted him the Taoist title “Great Master of Assisting Mystery and Silent Illumination.”

Feng Zhiheng passed away due to illness in the fourth year of the Xianzong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1254) at the age of 75.

His well-known disciples included Xue Deju and Yao Zhixuan.

Detailed accounts of his life and deeds can be found in Volume 6 of Ganshui Xianyuan Lu (Records of Immortal Origins from Sweet Waters).