The Shen Taizhi 申泰芝

Shen Taizhi was a native of Jiyang (now part of Henan Province) during the mid-Tang Dynasty. His courtesy name was Guangxiang, and he adopted the self-assumed title "Baiyun Jushi" (Hermit of the White Clouds). From a young age, he was intelligent and eager to learn: he had a thorough understanding of the "Six Classics" (the core Confucian classics of ancient China) and was skilled at composing poetry and prose, yet he disliked secular affairs.

He abstained from sensual desires and avoided meat and fish (adhering to a vegetarian diet). When he read the classic scriptures of Taoism (referred to here as "Xuanjiao," or the "Mysterious Teaching"), he could grasp all their contents with a single reading.

After his father passed away, he wandered to Mount Nanyue (one of the "Five Great Mountains" of China). There, he encountered the "Jiutian Zhenren" (True Immortal of the Nine Heavens), who imparted to him the essential teachings of the "Golden Elixir and Fire Dragon Great Accomplishment" (a core practice of Taoist inner and outer alchemy for cultivating immortality). Following this, Shen entered Lianhe Mountain, built the Fuyi Hut, set up an elixir furnace, collected medicinal herbs, and practiced alchemy in accordance with the teachings. Once he successfully refined the elixir, he attained enlightenment in the Dao, and his fame spread to the imperial capital.

In the 26th year of the Kaiyuan era (738) of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, Shen was summoned to the imperial capital. The emperor called him "Xianweng" (Immortal Elder), conferred on him the title "Great National Master," and issued an imperial decree appointing him as the abbot of Yuanzhen Guan (Yuanzhen Taoist Temple). He was permitted to enter and exit the imperial palace and was placed in charge of Taoism affairs nationwide.

In August of the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era (739), on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Shen Taizhi and Heavenly Master Ye Jingneng used Taoist illusionary arts to escort Emperor Xuanzong on a tour of the Moon Palace. In the 3rd year of the Tianbao era (744) [Note: There is a chronological error in the original text; "714" should be "744," as the Tianbao era began in 742], Shen transmitted esoteric Taoist talismans and scriptures to Imperial Concubine Yang in the palace. Later, he submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting permission to return to his hermitage.

In the 7th year of the Tianbao era (748), the emperor bestowed a set of ritual Taoist robes on Shen, allowing him to return. Shen Taizhi passed away in August of the 14th year of the Tianbao era (755) at the age of 69. Posthumously, he was conferred the title "Miaoji Zhenren" (Wondrously Silent True Immortal).

During the Song Dynasty, he was further posthumously honored with the title "Yuanmiao Lingxiu Zhenren" (Profoundly Wondrous and Spiritually Cultivated True Immortal).

(Source: Yunfu Shan Shen Xianweng Zhuan (Biography of Immortal Elder Shen of Mount Yunfu)