The Lin Lingsu 林灵素

Lin Lingsu, originally named Ling'e and styled Tongsou, was a native of Wenzhou (now part of Zhejiang Province) at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty.

In his youth, he became a Buddhist monk but later abandoned Buddhism to follow Daoism. While traveling in the Huai and Si river regions, he was recommended to the imperial court by Xu Zhichang, who held the position of Zuodao Lu (an official in charge of Daoist affairs). Lin Lingsu revered Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty as the incarnation of the Jade Pure King of Shenxiao Heaven, thus gaining the emperor’s deep favor. In the first month of the 6th year of the Zhenghe era (1116), he was bestowed the title "Mr. Tongzhen Daling" (meaning "Master of Penetrating Truth and Reaching Spirit") and granted residence in the Shangqing Baolu Palace.

In the 7th year of the Zhenghe era (1117), Lin Lingsu lectured on the esoteric scriptures of the Shenxiao Sect. The emperor ordered the establishment of "Daoist Studies," arranged the ranks of immortals in the Three Realms, standardized Daoist history and scriptures, revised alchemical classics and Daoist philosophical works, and had him preside over ritual altars such as the Zhengyi Yellow Registers and Green Altar Ceremonies. Lin Lingsu was further conferred the title "Golden Gate Feathered Guest," appointed as "Shichen" (Attendant) of Chonghe Hall, and granted residence in Zizhi Guan (Zizhi Daoist Temple).

Urged by Lin Lingsu, in the 1st year of the Xuanhe era (1119), Emperor Huizong issued an imperial edict to rename all Buddhist titles: "Buddha" was changed to "Great Awakened Golden Immortal," "Bodhisattva" to "Immortal" or "Great Virtuous One," and "Buddhist monk" to "Virtuous Scholar"; Buddhist monasteries were renamed "Palaces" as well.

In the same year, Lin Lingsu offended Emperor Huizong due to a dispute over Daoist etiquette with the Crown Prince. He was demoted to the position of "Taixu Dafu" (Grand Master of the Great Void) and exiled to his hometown, where he died at the age of 45.

(From The History of the Song Dynasty·Biographies of Occult Practitioners and Song Huiyao (Compilation of Important Documents of the Song Dynasty))