The Lang Rushan 郎如山

Lang Rushan (1225-1297) was a native of Yuhang (now part of Zhejiang Province) during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

His courtesy name was Luzhan, and he styled himself "Yishan" (Single Mountain). According to Epitaph of Venerable Master Lang, Abbot and Supervisor of Dongxiao Palace, Dharma Master of Embracing Mystery, Honoring Teaching, and Securing the Dao by Zhang Bochun, Lang Rushan came from a prominent family in Yuhang and had aspired to extraordinary ideals since childhood.

At the age of 13, he formally became a Taoist monk. At 18, he took up the post of "Zhigong" (Administrator) of Dongxiao Palace. At 20, he was awarded the "Purple Robe" (a high honor for Taoist clergy) and the title "Great Master of General Teaching," and was appointed to preside over Longde Taoist Temple (attached to the Yue Ancestral Shrine) in Ganpu.

In the 16th year of the Zhiyuan era of Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty (1279), Lang Rushan was elected by fellow Taoists to serve as "Gaoshang" (Senior Master) of Tongzhen Zhai (a Taoist ritual hall) and the founding abbot of Chongzhen Taoist Temple. Shortly after, he took on additional roles as "Daopan" (Assistant Administrator) of the Western Zhejiang Dao (an administrative division) and "Joint Dujian" (Co-Supervisor) of Taiyi West Palace. In the 22nd year of the Zhiyuan era (1285), he was promoted to "Daolu" (Taoist Registrar) of Yuhang and "Tiju Zhigong" (Chief Administrator) of Dongxiao Palace. In the 23rd year of the Zhiyuan era (1286), he was summoned to the imperial court by imperial decree, appointed "Great Protector" (a senior Taoist official), and further promoted to "Deputy Tiju of Taoism" for his jurisdiction. Additionally, the imperial court exempted Dongxiao Palace from land rent and taxes.

In the 1st year of the Yuanzhen era (1295), he was officially appointed by imperial order as "Tidian Zhuchi" (Supervising Abbot) of Dongxiao Palace, with concurrent responsibility for overseeing all Taoist temples on the mountain (where Dongxiao Palace was located). He was specially granted a set of official brocade robes trimmed with gold.

Lang Rushan passed away due to illness in the 1st year of the Dade era (1297) at the age of 73. Posthumously, he was bestowed the title "Dharma Master of Embracing Mystery, Honoring Teaching, and Securing the Dao.