The Li Hanguang 李含光

Li Hanguang was a native of Jiangdu in Guangling (present-day Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province) during the Tang Dynasty. His original given name was Hong.

His family had practiced Taoism for generations, and his father was a "fangwai jiao" (a term referring to close friends outside the secular world, often used for relationships between scholars, monks, or Taoists) of Sima Chengzhen (a renowned Taoist master). Li Hanguang was well-versed in the doctrines of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor) and Laozi, and proficient in the methods of "fu'er" (a Taoist practice of taking elixirs or tonics to cultivate vitality and achieve longevity).

In his early years, he was highly skilled in "zhuanzhou" (ancient Chinese seal scripts, including "zhuan" script and "zhou" script, which were typical calligraphic styles in ancient times), and particularly excelled in "lishu" (official script, a common calligraphic style in the Han Dynasty and later used in official documents and inscriptions).

In the early years of the Shenlong era (705-707), he became a Taoist priest and studied under Sima Chengzhen at Mount Wangwu. Sima Chengzhen imparted to him all the Taoist doctrines and scriptures of the Shangqing School (a major school of Taoism focusing on celestial revelations and inner alchemy). Later, Li Hanguang resided at Yangtai Guan (Yangtai Taoist Temple) to teach and instruct disciples. Before long, he returned to Mount Mao due to illness, where he devoted himself to compiling and revising Taoist classics and doctrines, as well as writing Taoist books.

In the 4th year of the Tianbao era (745), he was summoned to the imperial capital by the emperor and taught Taoist doctrines in the imperial palace. In the 7th year of the Tianbao era (748), Emperor Xuanzong received the talismans, seals, and scriptures of the Shangqing School in the Datong Hall; he honored Li Hanguang as his "Dushi" (the master who initiates and transmits Taoist teachings), conferred on him the title "Mr. Xuanjing", and awarded him a set of ritual Taoist robes. After Li Hanguang's death, he was posthumously given the official title "Zhengyi Dafu" (a mid-ranking civil official title in the Tang Dynasty).

Li Hanguang authored works such as Xianxue Zhuanlue (Brief Biographies of Immortal Practitioners), Zhouyi Yilue (Outline of the Meaning of the I Ching), Laozhuang Xueji (Notes on the Studies of Laozi and Zhuangzi), Sanxuan Yitong Lun (Treatise on the Similarities and Differences of the Three Profound Classics—referring to the I Ching, Laozi, and Zhuangzi), and Bencao Yinyi (Phonetics and Meanings of Materia Medica). His famous disciples included Meng Zhanran, Wei Jingzhao, and Wei Qumou.

(Sources: Maoshan Zhi (Records of Mount Mao), Li Xuanjing Xiansheng Bei (Stele of Mr. Li Xuanjing), Tang Maoshan Ziyang Guan Xuanjing Xiansheng Bei (Stele of Mr. Xuanjing at Ziyang Guan of Mount Mao in the Tang Dynasty))