The Pan Dechong 潘德冲
Paul PengShare
Pan Dechong (1190-1256) was a native of Qidong, Shandong Province during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His courtesy name was Zhonghe, and his Taoist title was Chonghe. As he once resided at Chunyang Upper Palace on Jiufeng Mountain, he also styled himself "Jiufeng Elder".
As recorded in Ganshui Xianyuan Lu (Records of Immortal Origins by the Sweet Water): Pan Dechong’s family had been farmers for generations. His grandfather, Pan Bingzheng, happened to live through the outbreak of wars during the Da’an era (1209-1211). He rose to the position of Military Commander-in-Chief and defended Laizhou.
His father, Pan Ji, made a living by studying Confucianism and was appointed as an instructor at the Prefectural School of Yidu. His uncle, Pan Zemin, served as the Military 判官 (Assistant Military Administrator) of Laizhou, and the family was traditionally wealthy.
Pan Dechong could not speak until he was seven years old. He finally gained the ability to speak after being enlightened by a Taoist hermit.
When he grew a little older, he was alert, perceptive, and intelligent, capable of memorizing over a thousand words of text every day.
After reaching adulthood, his parents intended to arrange a marriage for him, so he fled to Bindu Taoist Temple in Qixia and studied Taoism under Qiu Changchun (Qiu Chuji, known as Real Person Changchun). Qiu entrusted him with the responsibility of maintaining temple rituals and practicing asceticism (referred to as "Fenxiu" in Taoism, which involves tending to incense and engaging in spiritual cultivation).
During his free time, he concentrated his mind, purified his thoughts, and devoted himself to Taoist cultivation for more than ten years. When Qiu Changchun embarked on his journey to the west (to meet Genghis Khan), Pan Dechong accompanied him.
After Qiu Changchun passed away, Real Person Qinghe (Yin Zhiping) appointed Pan Dechong as the Taoist Registrar of Yanjing (later renamed Dadu, present-day Beijing), with concurrent responsibility for temple affairs.
In the seventh year of the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Yuan Dynasty (1235), he took charge of the main renovation project of Xingguo Taoist Temple.
In the fourteenth year (1242), he was appointed as the Chief Administrator of Taoism for All Circuits, concurrently serving as the Taoist Registrar of his home circuit.
In the sixteenth year (1244), he became the Chief Supervisor of Taoism for both the Northern and Southern Circuits of Hedong, and was primarily responsible for the reconstruction of Yongle Taoist Temple.
Within a few years, the new temple was completed. He also oversaw the expansion and renovation of Chunyang Upper Palace and over ten subordinate courtyards on Jiufeng Mountain.
In the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Dingzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1249), by imperial decree from the Empress Dowager (referred to as "Zhonggong" in imperial terms), he further renovated Yuqing Taoist Temple in Weiyang and Magu Cave on Kunyu Mountain.
In the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1254), he was summoned to the imperial capital by imperial edict and presided over the "Putiandajiao" (a grand Taoist ritual for universal blessing and salvation) at Changchun Taoist Temple in the capital.
Pan Dechong passed away due to illness in the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Xianzong (1256) at the age of 66.
The imperial court posthumously conferred upon him the title "Real Person Chonghe Weimiao" (Real Person of Harmony and Subtle Wonder).
His well-known disciple included Liu Ruoshui, who held the position of Supervisor of the Three Palaces and bore the title "Great Master Yuanjing" (Great Master of Profound Tranquility).
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is one of the curators of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
Read his full story →
