The Hidden Immortal Sect 隐仙派

A branch of the Quanzhen Daoism, also known as the Hidden Sect or the Youlong Sect. It reveres Zhang Sanfeng, a Daoist priest of the early Ming Dynasty, as its founder.

Zhang Sanfeng lived during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. Records of his name, native place, and life story vary across sources, with many legends surrounding him. According to Ming Shu (Book of the Ming Dynasty) compiled by Fu Weilin of the Ming Dynasty, in Volume 160 Biographies of Eccentrics and Recluses, Zhang Sanfeng was named Junshi, styled Xuanyi, with the literary name Xuanxuan and the self-assumed title Sanfengzi. He was a native of Yizhou in Liaodong (present-day Yi County, Liaoning). He often wore a patchwork robe and walked through markets and villages as if no one else was around. When discussing the classics of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, he spoke fluently and eloquently. He would eat only once every three to five days, or even once every two to three months. When climbing mountains, he moved as fast as flying.

In the late Yuan Dynasty, he resided at the Jintai Temple in Baoji, Shaanxi. One day, he passed away but later revived. He then traveled to Sichuan, Qin (Shaanxi), Xiang (Hubei) and Deng (Henan), wandered in Chang’an (Xi’an), and visited Long (Gansu) and Min (Gansu).

In the early Hongwu period (1368–1398) of the Ming Dynasty, he went to Wudang Mountain and climbed Tianzhu Peak. He assigned his disciple Qiu Xuanqing to reside at Wulong Palace, Lu Qiuyun at Nanyan Palace, Liu Guquan and Yang Shandeng (or Yang Cheng) at Zixiao Palace. He built a thatched hut for himself north of Zhanqi Peak, named Yuzhen Guan (Temple of Encountering Immortals), and a thatched cottage in Tucheng (Earth City) called Huixian Guan (Hall of Meeting Immortals), entrusting his disciple Zhou Zhende to guard it.

In the 23rd year of the Hongwu period (1390), he left without a trace. The following year, Emperor Taizu (Zhu Yuanzhang) sent Daoist priests to search for him, but in vain. During the Yongle period (1403–1424), Emperor Chengzu (Zhu Di) also sent messengers multiple times to summon him, but he was never found.

In the 3rd year of the Tianshun period (1459) of Emperor Yingzong’s reign, Zhang Sanfeng was posthumously awarded the title “Zhenren (Immortal) of Penetrating Subtlety and Manifesting Transformation.” In the 22nd year of the Chenghua period (1486) of Emperor Xianzong’s reign, he was further honored with the title “True Immortal of Concealing Brilliance and Upholding Aspirations.”

Although Zhang Sanfeng had several disciples, he did not establish a Daoist sect during his lifetime. The sect that revered him was formed by his followers. According to The Complete Works of Master Zhang Sanfeng·Daoist Sects compiled by Li Xiyue of the Qing Dynasty, this sect was called the Hidden Immortal Sect, also known as the Hidden Sect or the Youlong Sect. It was claimed that Zhang Sanfeng was a disciple of Huolong Zhenren (Immortal Fire Dragon), who in turn studied under Master Maiyi (Li He). Master Maiyi was a disciple of Chen Tuan, and Chen Tuan was a disciple of Yin Xi, the True Person of Wenshi. When it came to Chen Tuan, he also inherited the teachings of Liu Haichan from the Shaoyang Sect, thus integrating the two branches of Laozi’s tradition—the Wenshi and Shaoyang sects—into one.

This account contains many absurdities, but it is perhaps close to the truth that Zhang Sanfeng was influenced by the ideological lineage of Chen Tuan. The exact time when this sect took shape is unknown, but it did have a lineage of inheritance during the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods. The General Register of Various True Sects records multiple Daoist sects that regarded Zhang Sanfeng as their ancestor, including: the Natural Sect, the Sanfeng Ancestor Natural Sect, the Sanfeng Sect, the Sanfeng Ancestor Rixin (Daily Renewal) Sect, the Rixin Sect, and the Sanfeng Ancestor Penglai Sect, totaling eight sects.

The worship of Zhang Sanfeng first emerged at Wudang Mountain in Hubei. As Wudang Daoism spread, more small sub-sects branched out in other regions, a fact reflected in the aforementioned sects.