The Liu Ningzhi 刘凝之

Liu Ningzhi was a native of Zhijiang in Nanjun Commandery (now part of Hubei Province) during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420). His courtesy name was Zhi'an, and his childhood name was Changnian. He was a devout practitioner of Taoism, residing on the southern slope of Mount Heng, where he collected medicinal herbs and took them (as part of Taoist ascetic practices).

He embraced the Taoist teachings of "enlightening and guiding the people" (as advocated by the Celestial Masters) and dedicated himself to rescuing creatures and relieving dangers. In the 14th year of the Yuanjia era (437 CE), while he was in a state of "zuowang" (a Taoist meditative state of "sitting in forgetfulness") and concentrating intensely, he suddenly felt a severe pain in his forehead. Shortly after, he obtained nine precious pearls, whose radiance filled the entire room.

Ordinarily, he wandered among the wormwood and brambles, living in a humble hut. He would not take anything that he had not acquired through his own labor. Both he and his wife took pride in living a life of frugality and contentment in poverty, and they often helped those in need. Even during years of famine, they never wavered from this way of life.