The Li Zhichang 李志常

Li Zhichang (1193-1256) was a native of Guancheng in Kaizhou (now part of Shandong Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties.

His courtesy name was Haoran, and his Taoist title was Zhenchangzi. He studied under Qiu Chuji in Laizhou. In the 15th year of the Taizu era of the Yuan Dynasty (1220), he accompanied Qiu Chuji on a journey northward and westward. After several years, they returned to Yanjing (modern Beijing). In the 22nd year of the Taizu era (1227), he was appointed by imperial edict as Du Daolu (Chief Administrator of Taoist Affairs) and concurrently took charge of the affairs of Changcun Palace. In the 10th year of the Taizong era (1238), he was bestowed the title "Zhenchang Zhenren, Inheritor of the Orthodox Daoist Tradition and Propagator of Teachings" and was put in charge of national Taoist affairs, thus becoming the 7th Leader of the Quanzhen School of Taoism.

When Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, Li Zhichang was granted a precious imperial decree and a gold talisman. He was ordered to travel to famous mountains and rivers across the country to preside over Taoist fasting rituals (zhaijiao) and sacrificial ceremonies.

Later, he had The Eighty-One Transformations of Laozi and The Classic of Laozi’s Conversion of the Barbarians printed and circulated. Additionally, he seized Buddhist monasteries and destroyed Buddha statues, which aroused dissatisfaction among Buddhists. In the 5th year of the Xianzong era (1255), a debate between Taoism and Buddhism was held in the imperial court to dispute the authenticity of The Classic of Laozi’s Conversion of the Barbarians. Li Zhichang was unable to defend his arguments, lost the debate, and was demoted.

The following year, he died of anger and shame. In the 2nd year of the Zhongtong era of Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty (1261), he was posthumously awarded the title "Zhenchang Shangde Xuanjiao Zhenren" (True Person of Zhenchang, Supreme Virtue, and Proclamation of Teachings).

His works include two volumes of The Journey to the West of the True Person of Eternal Spring and twenty volumes of Youxuan Ji (Collection of Further Mystery), the latter of which is now lost.