The Kou Zhijing 寇志静
Paul PengShare
Kou Zhijing was a native of Yujin in Yueyang (now part of Shaanxi Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His courtesy name was Yinzi, and his Taoist title was Yuanmingzi.
He was a descendant of Duke Lai of Kou (Kou Zhun, posthumously honored as Duke Lai), and his father served as the Jiedushi (Military Governor) of Tongzhou.
Kou Zhijing had a clear and virtuous nature. At the age of fifteen, he became a Taoist priest and studied under the True Person Xu, also known as Guangyangzi.
From then on, he resided in a small enclosed hut to cultivate his character. In the 6th year of the Taizong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1234), he finally left the hut. He propagated Taoist teachings wherever he went, interacted with people to benefit all living beings, and initiated hundreds of disciples into Taoism. Scholars and believers from all directions flocked to visit him like spokes converging at the hub of a wheel.
In the 11th year of the Taizong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1239), he returned to his hometown. At the request of the local people, he renovated the Yanshou Palace — a sacred place once associated with his teacher — to serve as a venue for praying for the imperial longevity.
Kou Zhijing then worked diligently on the renovation together with Jia Zhixuan (the True Person Quandao, also known as Wuzhenzi) and his disciple He Zhiqing (the Great Master Chongxu).
Kou Zhijing embodied five noble qualities:
- Filial piety: He upheld the virtue of filial respect.
- Devotion to teaching: He was committed to spreading Taoist doctrines.
- Taoist attainments: When he presided over Taoist rituals (jiao) and preached, his words always yielded miraculous effects.
- Virtue and compassion: When seeing others suffering from severe illnesses, he would definitely offer relief and help.
- Spiritual cultivation: He refined his soul and mastered the control of vital energy (qi), achieving a level of spiritual accomplishment comparable to the "Nine Revolutions" (a high stage of Taoist alchemy).
Having accumulated numerous merits and virtuous deeds, Kou Zhijing's fame reached the imperial court. The Emperor bestowed upon him a golden crown and purple sash (a symbol of high honor) and conferred on him the additional title of "True Person Yuanming Langzhao" (the Bright and Illuminating True Person of Perfection).
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 →
