The Tan Qiao 谭峭

Tan Qiao was a native of Quanzhou (now part of Fujian Province) during the Five Dynasties period, with the courtesy name Jingsheng. From a young age, he was fond of the studies of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor) and Laozi (the founder of Taoism)—the core theories of early Taoism.

Later, he traveled to Mount Zhongnan, then went to the Bashu region (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing). He pursued Taoist studies on Mount Qingcheng, where he studied under He Changyi from Qiongzhou. He practiced the techniques of taking elixirs, abstaining from grains, and nurturing vital energy (qi). He had a relationship of mutual mentorship and friendship with Chen Tuan (a renowned Taoist scholar of the same era). Tan Qiao once compiled Huashu (The Book of Transformation), a work in six volumes. In this book, he put forward the thought of "Taihe" (Great Harmony), which advocates "no partiality to relatives, no alienation from strangers, no excessive love, and no extreme hatred." He argued that all things in the world originate from "Xu" (Emptiness/Void), following the cycle of "Xu transforms into Spirit, Spirit transforms into Qi, and Qi transforms into Form," and finally returns to Xu. His pursuit was the realm of "Datong" (Great Unity), where "Xu and Form interpenetrate."

He stated, "A sage explores the origins of smoothness and blockage, grasps the source of creation and transformation. He forgets his physical form to nurture Qi, forgets Qi to nurture Spirit, and forgets Spirit to nurture Xu. When Xu and Form interpenetrate, this is called Datong." "Datong" was his highest realm of Taoist cultivation.

(From History of the Southern Tang, Lishi Zhenxian Tidao Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror of the Immortal Figures and the Dao Through the Ages), and Continuation of the Comprehensive Examination of Literature and History)