The Hou Yongde 侯永德

The Hou Yongde 侯永德

Paul Peng
Hou Yongde, a native of Ruzhou, Henan during the Republic of China period, styled Jingtian.

From an early age, he admired Taoism and enjoyed reading Taoist scriptures.

He became a monk at Zhongyue Palace on Songshan Mountain, studying under Taoist Priest Fan Jiaocheng. Later, he went to Xuanmiao Temple in Nanyang to receive precepts.

He wandered through various Taoist monasteries in Wuhan, worked as an accountant at Baiyun Temple in Shanghai, then served as an accountant at Baiyun Temple in Beijing, and subsequently took up duties at the Guest Hall of the Monastic Affairs Office in Qianshan, Yiwulu Mountain in Northeast China, and Taiqing Palace in Shenyang.

In the 4th year of the Republic of China (1916), he returned to Baiyun Temple in Shanghai. Seeing that the Taoist monks were not as they used to be, he went back to Changchun Temple in Wuchang to serve as Guest Manager and Fundraiser.

In the 8th year (1920), Abbot Chen Yuding resigned, and Yongde succeeded him.

In the 9th year (1921), there was a severe drought in Wuhan. Yongde successfully prayed for rain, and Military Governor Xiao donated a huge sum of money to restore the Scripture Collection Pavilion at the temple.

Under his leadership, the temple carried out numerous charitable activities, including providing free medical consultations and medicines, distributing rice for disaster relief, establishing civilian schools, and taking in orphans.

He was highly praised by all walks of life. Leading fellow Taoists, Yongde devoted day and night to charitable work, and was regarded as a virtuous and eminent master in the Taoist community.
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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