The Ma Tianlin 马天麟

Ma Tianlin lived during the Jin and Yuan dynasties, with his Taoist religious names being Zhixi and Qingyizi.

His family had resided in Dexing of Shanggu (now Yixian County, Hebei Province) for generations, and his ancestors had established their family through the practice of medicine.

During the Mingchang era of the Jin Dynasty (1190–1196), Ma Tianlin had just reached the age of 20 (the "weak crown" year, a traditional coming-of-age milestone in ancient China). Because he was proficient in the Jurchen language, he was promoted to the position of "Yishi" (official translator and scribe) in the Marshal’s Office.

He served under various marshals consecutively and was renowned for his competence and efficiency in official duties. After accumulating more than ten years of service, he finished his term and resigned to return home.

After the "Zhenyou Southward Migration" (a large-scale relocation of the Jin Dynasty’s court and populace to the south in the late Jin period to avoid northern invasions), Ma Tianlin offered his services to a military governor’s office and was appointed as the Supervisor of Liquor Tax in Weizhen County of Bozhou. Upon the completion of his term, he submitted a letter of resignation and retired from official life. He lived between Xuchang and Bianjing (now Kaifeng, Henan Province) and maintained a close friendship with the abbot of Danyang Taoist Temple.

In the first year of the Kaixing era (1232), he crossed the Yellow River northward to Yanjing (now Beijing), where he paid homage to Taoist Master Dongzhen and became his disciple, formally embracing Taoism as a monk. Later, he traveled further north, passing through Juyong Pass and Wuchuan, and begged for food to sustain himself in Changzhou.

Subsequently, he journeyed south and paid respects to Taoist Master Yin Qinghe, who bestowed upon him a seal and the Taoist title "Qingtianzi" (Son of Pure Heaven).

Before long, he returned to Yanjing, where he took charge of the Dongyue Sub-temple in Ganquanfang and founded Yuqing Taoist Temple, welcoming Taoist friends from all regions.

Many of his followers and associates were princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials. In daily life, he also practiced medicine to help others and was fond of providing relief to the poor and assisting those in hardship.

Ma Tianlin strictly adhered to his master’s teachings and was rigorous in self-discipline. He shared the same Taoist ideals and virtues with Li Zhixuan (abbot of Nan’an Hermitage), Li Zhitong (administrator of Taiyi Palace), and Liu Zhi’an (Great Master of Danyang). They remained "beyond-worldly friends seeking truth" (spiritual companions transcending secular ties) for as long as thirty years.