The Wan Zhen 万振

The Wan Zhen 万振

Paul Peng
Wan Zhen (? - 661), a native of Hongzhou (present-day Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province) during the Sui and Tang dynasties, styled himself Changsheng and was known to people as "Celestial Master Wan".
He used Taoist talismans and incantations to help people and treat illnesses, and mastered the way to attain longevity and maintain vitality. He appeared and disappeared (leading a reclusive yet occasionally visible life) during the Qi and Liang dynasties, and people regarded him as someone of the same caliber as Luan Ba (a famous Taoist figure in ancient China).

Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty heard of his reputation and issued an imperial edict to build Qizhen Guan (Qizhen Temple) on Hongya Mountain for him to reside in.


In the 15th year of the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty (641 AD), another temple named Tianning Wanshou Guan (Tianning Longevity Temple) was built for him to live in. In the 2nd year of the Xianqing era (657 AD), Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty summoned him, and consulted him on the ways of governing the state and preserving health. The emperor treated him with the respect due to a teacher and friend.


Wan Zhen passed away in the 1st year of the Longshuo era (661 AD). Teng Yuan 元婴 (Yuan Ying, Prince Teng of the Tang Dynasty; note: "元婴" is the given name, and the full title is usually "Prince Teng Yuan Ying") wrote the "Stele Commemorating the Virtues and Achievements of Celestial Master Wan", which was erected in Kaiyuan Guan (Kaiyuan Temple).


(From Lishi Zhenxian Tidao Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror of the Authentic Immortals Who Embodied the Dao Through the Ages), Volume 31)
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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