The Ni Wenguang 倪文光

Ni Wenguang (1278-1328) was a native of Wuxi during the Yuan Dynasty. He was also known by the name Zhaokui.

In his later years, he adopted two literary names (hao) for himself: Xuanzhongzi and Chuyang Zhenyi.

When he was a little older, he enrolled in a local village school. Beyond studying Confucian classics and historical records, he conducted in-depth research on works by Laozi and Zhuangzi, as well as theories related to geography and foreign affairs/interpreting services.

Upon reaching the age of adulthood (20 years old, according to ancient Chinese customs), he had a sincere ambition to renounce luxury and abstain from desires. However, considering he had no other brothers to support his parents, he could not bear to leave his parents to become a Taoist monk.

After a long time, when his younger brother grew up (and could take on the responsibility of supporting the family), Ni Wenguang finally became a Taoist priest (referred to as "Huangguan Shi" in ancient terms). He studied metaphysics (a core component of Taoist thought) under Jin Yingxin, and also studied alongside Real Person Wang Shouyan from Yuhang. He built the Xuanwen Hall by the Gong River, where he held sacrificial rituals to deities and sages including Laozi, Guanyinzi, Zhuangzi, and Liezi. The Great Hierarch of Xuanjiao (a major state-endorsed Taoist school in the Yuan Dynasty) highly valued him, summoned him to the imperial capital, and recommended him to the imperial court. Ni Wenguang was first appointed as "Dao Pan" (Taoist Administrator) of a prefecture, then promoted to "Dao Zheng" (Chief Taoist Officer), in charge of Taoist sacrificial affairs. He possessed Taoist magical arts, using them to pray for rain and eliminate locust plagues.

In the first year of the Zhida era (1308), by imperial decree, the Xuanwen Hall was renamed Xuanxuan Guan (Xuanxuan Taoist Temple), and Ni Wenguang was appointed as its Abbot and Administrator ("Zhuchi Tidian"). He was also conferred the title "Yuansu Shenying Chongdao Fashi" (Dharma Master of Primordial Purity, Numinous Response, and Venerating the Dao).

In the third year of the Zhida era (1309), he was officially appointed as "Dao Lu" (Taoist Registrar) of Changzhou Circuit. In the first year of the Yanyou era (1314), an imperial edict was issued to upgrade Xuanxuan Guan to Xuanxuan Wanshou Gong (Xuanxuan Longevity Palace). Around the same time, Ni Wenguang was appointed as Abbot and Administrator of Kaiyuan Palace in Hangzhou Circuit.

In the second year of the Yanyou era (1315), he was specially granted the honorary title "Xuanzhong Wenjie Zhenbai Zhenren" (Real Person of Xuanzhong, Literary Integrity, and Pure Sincerity).

In his later years, he built the Qingwei Hall for himself, where he cultivated his spirit and maintained a noble outlook on life. He was on good terms with Liu Dabin, the "Dadong Fashi" (Great Cavern Dharma Master) of the Maoshan Sect (a key branch of Taoism).

In the first year of the Tianli era (1328), Ni Wenguang passed away without suffering from any illness, at the age of fifty.