The Shi Zhijian 石志坚

Shi Zhijian was a native of Xihe in Fenzhou (now part of Shanxi Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His courtesy name was Tingyu, and his family had a tradition of studying Confucianism for generations.

In the fourth year of the Zhenyou era (1216) of the Jin Dynasty, he became a Taoist monk and went to Tongzhen Guan (Tongzhen Taoist Temple) in Xingtai, where he studied under Master Li Tongchen and learned the doctrines of "Xingming" (the theory of nature and life) of the Quanzhen School (a major branch of Taoism). Later, Master Li Tongchen imparted the essential Taoist teachings to him.

Shortly after, wars broke out again, so Shi Zhijian took refuge in Shangqing Gong (Shangqing Taoist Palace) and attached himself to Master Fan Xuantong, holding the position of Jianzhai (Overseer of Ritual Diets, a Taoist temple administrative role). By listening to Master Fan’s teachings every day, he achieved a profound enlightenment in Taoism. He extensively studied Taoist classics such as Laozi (Tao Te Ching) and Zhuangzi, and later, following his master’s order, he worked with Tiandian (a senior Taoist administrator) Zhang Tianni to restore Xiantian Gong (Xiantian Taoist Palace). After that, he went to Xingtai and served as Tiandian of Tongzhen Guan, and later took up the same position at Zongsheng Gong (Zongsheng Taoist Palace) on Zhongnan Mountain.

In the third year of the Zhiyuan era (1266) of the Yuan Dynasty, Li Tongchen passed away. Following Li’s last wish, Shi Zhijian succeeded him as the leader of their Taoist lineage. Over nearly a decade, the reputation of Zongsheng Gong flourished significantly. Later, he accompanied Zhang Chengming, the leader of the Quanzhen School at the time, to visit famous mountains, great rivers, and major Taoist temples. During these trips, they established Xuanyang (Taoist academies), promoted Taoist studies, and educated younger generations of Taoists.

Shi Zhijian passed away from illness in the fourteenth year of the Zhiyuan era (1277) at the age of seventy-two. Details of his life can be found in Record of Daoist Master Shi, the Leader of Zongsheng Gong on Zhongnan Mountain by Li Daoqian.