The Gao Daokuan 高道宽
Paul PengShare
Gao Daokuan (1195-1277) was a native of Huairen (present-day Huairen County, Shanxi Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His courtesy name was Yuzhi, and his Taoist title was Yuanmingzi.
As recorded in Volume 8 of Ganshui Xianyuan Lu (Records of Immortal Origins by the Sweet Water), Gao Daokuan had a thorough understanding of Confucian classics, historical records, and various doctrines of Taoism. In his prime, he served as an official in Chang'an (an ancient capital, present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi Province).
After his parents passed away due to illness, he resigned from his official post and became a Taoist monk. Initially, he studied under a Taoist master in Penglai; later, he took Li Chongxu as his teacher; finally, he turned to Taoist Master Dongzhen, with whom he studied for the longest time.
Subsequently, Dongzhen conferred upon him the Shangqing Zixu Great Talisman (a sacred Taoist document representing inheritance of esoteric teachings) and bestowed upon him the Taoist title "Yuanmingzi".
Gao Daokuan was appointed to oversee the affairs of Chongyang Wanshou Taoist Temple and manage all Taoist affairs of Ganhe Yuxian Taoist Temple.
In the second year of the Zhongtong era (1261), Chengming recommended him to the imperial court. The emperor issued an edict appointing him as the supervisor of Taoism in Xingyuan and other circuits of Shaanxi, concurrently in charge of the affairs of Chongyang Wanshou Taoist Temple.
In the eighth year of the Zhiyuan era (1271), he was further granted the title "Real Person Yuanming Who Knows the Constant and Embraces Virtue".
In the 13th year of the Zhiyuan era (1276), the Heavenly Queen (Empress Dowager) and Prince Anxi each presented him with a set of golden crown and Taoist robe embroidered with cloud patterns, and he was awarded the additional title "Real Person Yuanming Who Observes Profoundly and Universalizes Salvation". He was also appointed to supervise Taoist affairs in Western Shu (a historical name for the Sichuan region).
Gao Daokuan passed away in the 14th year of the Zhiyuan era at the age of 82.
Detailed accounts of his life can be found in The Stele of Gao, Real Person Yuanming Who Observes Profoundly and Universalizes Salvation, on His Virtuous Taoist Practices and the second volume of Neizhuan of Immortal Sages from the Ancestral Courtyard on Zhongnan Mountain, among other historical records.
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 →
