The Niu Wenhou 牛文侯

Niu Wenhou was a native of Longxi during the Northern Dynasties (now part of Gansu Province, China).

According to records in Comprehensive Mirror of Perfected Immortals and Practitioners of the Dao, he was endowed with sharp intellect and extraordinary insight, and his knowledge spanned both ancient and contemporary learning.

He had a thorough mastery of the philosophies of Laozi and Zhuangzi, as well as the fields of astronomy and geography—leaving no subtle or profound aspect of these subjects unstudied.

He studied under Yin Tong, from whom he acquired Taoist talismans, ritual protocols, and techniques of refining qi and nurturing life (a core Taoist practice for health and longevity). He was skilled at instructing others: he often exhorted his disciples to uphold filial piety and loyalty, and also guided them through the mystical power of Taoist talismans (for warding off evil and imposing spiritual restrictions) and the principles of "Dao-nature" (the inherent, Dao-aligned essence of all beings).

As a result, the Taoist doctrines and practices of the Louguan Sect (a major Northern Dynasties Taoist tradition centered at Louguan Tai) flourished in the Guanzhong region, and many people followed and adhered to them. Niu Wenhou passed away in the 5th year of the Datong era of Emperor Wen of Western Wei (539) at the age of 82.