The Ruan Laizong 阮来宗

The Ruan Laizong 阮来宗

Paul Peng
Ruan Laizong was a native of Yuhang (now part of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province) during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty.

Before becoming a Taoist Priset (when he was still a layperson), he ran a vegetable market stall. At that time, he regarded having no meat in his meals and no silk in his clothes as a source of shame. Because he admired the reputation of Master Chen Qiaoyun, he went to Jingen Mountain in the 44th year of the Qianlong reign (1779) and converted to Taoism under Taoist Preceptor Chen.

After residing there for over a month, he received the profound spiritual transmission of Taoist mysteries and gained considerable insights. Later, he returned to Yuhang.

In the 50th year of the Qianlong reign (1785), Chen Qiaoyun gave lectures at Sanyuan Palace on the East Embankment of Nanhu Lake in Yuhang. At that time, there was a severe drought; Chen prayed for rain, and his prayer was immediately answered. Ruan Laizong considered this miraculous, so he again went to serve as an attendant at Sanyuan Palace.

He once said of himself: "One cannot attain the Dao (Tao) without enduring hardships; fine clothes and delicious food only diminish one’s blessings."

From then on, he diligently adhered to the teachings of the Dao and spent the rest of his life at Helin Taoist Abbey in Jingu Cave.

(From The Golden Lid and the Lamp of the Heart)
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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