The Niu Zhixin 牛志信

Niu Zhixin was a native of Xishe Village in Sanchi, Lucheng (now part of Shanxi Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His Taoist title was Mingzhenzi.

In his youth, he admired the ideals of "quiet emptiness" (a core Taoist concept) and abided by the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi. Later, he became a Taoist priest, studying under the abbot of Yongchang Guan (Yongchang Temple) and joining the Quanzhen School of Taoism.

He devoted himself diligently to Taoist practice, treating his teacher with the same respect as his father. For himself, he discarded ostentation and pursued practicality; in dealing with others, he embodied the Taoist principle of "harmonizing with the light and blending with the dust" (adapting to the world without compromising one’s essence). His adherence to precepts was as pure as ice, and his body and mind were as clean as jade—his reputation for Taoist attainments grew steadily over time.

In the 16th year of the Taizong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1244), he built Lingxian Guan (Lingxian Temple) to foster devotional bonds among believers (symbolized by incense offerings) and promote the Taoist tradition.