The Ji Zhizhen 姬志真

Ji Zhizhen (1192-1267) was a native of Jincheng, Shanxi Province during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His original given name was Yi, and his courtesy name was Fuzhi.

His ancestral lineage originally came from the Yong clan in Chang'an (an ancient capital, present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi Province). When Emperor Shizong of the Jin Dynasty ascended the throne, his family changed their surname from Yong to Ji to avoid violating the imperial taboo (as "Yong" was part of the emperor's personal name, a practice in ancient China to show respect).

Ji Zhizhen lost both parents when he was a child. He began studying at the age of four and could compose poems by the time he was thirteen.

Shortly after reaching the age of twenty (the "Weak Crown" in ancient China, a coming-of-age milestone), he had thoroughly mastered studies such as astronomy, geography, the theory of Yin-Yang (the opposing yet complementary forces in traditional Chinese philosophy), and the calendar system.

In the year of Xinsi (1221), wars broke out in the Ze and Lu regions east of the Yellow River. Ji Zhizhen was left all alone and took shelter in Nangong County, Jizhou.

In the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Yuan Dynasty (1234), Wang Qiyun (with the Taoist title Xiyunzi) passed through this area. He deeply appreciated Ji Zhizhen's extraordinary intelligence and insight, so he accepted him as a disciple, renamed him Zhizhen, and bestowed upon him the Taoist title "Zhochangzi" (Master Who Knows the Constant).

Ji Zhizhen followed Wang Qiyun to Panshan Mountain, listening to his teachings every day. In the second year of the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1252), Li Zhenchang (a senior Taoist master) took charge of Taoist affairs. He established a school for metaphysical studies (focusing on Taoist philosophy) at the Grand Changchun Palace in Yanjing (later renamed Dadu, present-day Beijing), and Ji Zhizhen joined this initiative. He successively presided over the lecture seat (a position for teaching core doctrines) and taught disciples.

In the spring of the year of Jia Yin (1254), Ji Zhizhen returned to Bianliang (an ancient capital, present-day Kaifeng, Henan Province) and resided in Chaoyuan Taoist Temple.

Before long, Wang Qiyun passed away, and Ji Zhizhen succeeded him as the leader of the Taoist community.

In the second month of the fourth year of the Zhiyuan era (1267), an imperial edict was issued, conferring upon him the title "Real Person Zhochang of Literary Purity and Virtuous Integrity".

In the twelfth month of the fifth year of the Zhiyuan era (1268), he passed away due to illness at the age of seventy-six. His surviving works include Collected Works of Yunshan, The Complete Chapters of the Dao De Jing, and A Straightforward Interpretation of the I Ching, among others.