The Ren Ziyuan 任自垣

The Ren Ziyuan 任自垣

Paul Peng
Ren Ziyuan (? - 1431) was a native of Jingkou Yunyang, Jiangsu, in the early Ming Dynasty.

His courtesy name was Yiyu, and his literary name was Chanyu.

He became a Taoist monk at Yuanfu Wanning Palace on Maoshan Mountain in Jurong. He was proficient in Confucian classics and Taoist scriptures, and was well-versed in elegant literary writing.

In the 4th year of the Yongle reign (1406), he was summoned by imperial edict and selected to work in the Wenyuan Pavilion, participating in the compilation of The Yongle Encyclopedia.

In the 9th year of the Yongle reign (1411), he was officially appointed as Youxuanyi (a mid-ranking official) of the Daolu Division (the top imperial agency managing national Taoist affairs). In the 11th year (1413), recommended by Zhang Yuqing, the 44th Heavenly Master of Taoism, he was appointed by imperial decree as the Tidian (a senior Taoist administrative position) of Xuantian Yuxu Palace on Wudang Mountain.

In the 20th year of the Yongle reign (1422), he was ordered by imperial edict to collect Taoist books across the country and compile the Taoist Canon (Daozang).

In the 3rd year of the Xuande reign (1428), he was promoted to the position of Cheng (Assistant Director) of the Taichang Temple, and was put in charge of Taihe Mountain (Great Yue).

In the 6th year of the Xuande reign (1431), he compiled 15 volumes of The Annals of Taihe Mountain (Great Yue), presented it to the imperial court with a memorial, and received high praise.

Shortly after, he passed away due to illness and was buried back on Sanmao Mountain.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

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 →
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