The He Zhongli 何中立

He Zhongli (?–1197) was a native of Xiongshan in Huaiyang (now part of Jiangsu Province) during the Southern Song Dynasty. In his childhood, he studied Confucianism; when he grew up, he admired the Taoist doctrines beyond the mundane world and became a Taoist monk at the Dragon King Hall of Tianqing Temple.

Ordinarily, he pretended to be unruly and made bold remarks, yet most of his words and deeds proved to be efficacious. Proficient in medical skills, he treated illnesses for numerous people. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of Song, his fame spread to the imperial capital. The emperor bestowed upon him the honorific title "Mr. Tongshen" (Master of Communicating with the Divine), had a hermitage built for him within the temple, and personally wrote an inscription on a horizontal board with his imperial calligraphy to show favor.

He Zhongli passed away due to illness in the third year of the Qingyuan era (1197).

(From Miaoguan Zhi [Records of Miaoguan], Volume 3)