The Shen Daoning 沈道宁

The Shen Daoning 沈道宁

Paul Peng
Shen Daoning, who lived during the reigns of Emperors Renzong and Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty, had the literary name Yeyun.

He initially resided at Yuxiu Courtyard. Due to his unruly and unrestrained nature, coupled with festering sores on his body, people at that time nicknamed him "Shen Lantou" (Shen the Festering-Head).

When Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty went on a northern expedition and Emperor Renzong was overseeing state affairs (as regent), Shen Daoning’s predictions on various matters were often surprisingly accurate, and he was famous for his Taoist arts.

Emperor Renzong once wrote a biography of Taoist priests himself, in which he recounted Shen Daoning’s deeds.

After Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, in the first year of the Hongxi reign (1425), Shen Daoning was conferred the title of "Hunyuan Chunyi Chongxu Zhanji Qingjing Wuwwei Chengxuan Benze Zhuguo Zuomin Guangda Zhidao Gaoshi" (Virtuous Scholar of Primordial Unity, Purity and Void, Calmness and Quiescence, Inaction and Peace, Conveying Grace, Benefiting the State and Aiding the People, and Upholding the Vast Supreme Dao).

His official rank was set at the third grade (of the Ming imperial official hierarchy), and he was also granted a ritual robe (for Taoist ceremonies).

Details of his life can be found in Jiaxing Fu Zhi (Records of Jiaxing Prefecture) and "Biography of Shen Daoning" in History of the Ming Dynasty.
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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