The Wang Bingwen 王秉文
Paul PengShare
Wang Bingwen (?-1166) lived during the late Northern Song and early Southern Song dynasties. His courtesy name was Yanheng, and he was officially registered as a Taoist priest at Taiping Xingguo Palace on Mount Lushan.
After attaining proficiency in Taoism, he traveled as a wandering Taoist to the imperial capital. At that time, Shenxiao Wanshou Palace had just been completed, so he was summoned to the imperial court, granted a purple robe (a symbol of honor for high-ranking Taoist priests), and appointed as the director of guest reception (Dianke). Later, he met a Taoist adept, who taught him the essential principles of "cun san shou yi" (preserving the Three [Essences, Qi, Spirit] and upholding the One [the Dao]) and the "Huangdi Heqi Jue" (Yellow Emperor's Formula for Harmonizing Qi). After receiving these teachings, he resigned from his position and returned to Mount Lushan.
In the 4th year of the Jianyan era of Emperor Gaozong (1130), Taiping Xingguo Palace was destroyed in the war. In the 5th year (1131), Wang Bingwen took up the post of Deputy Director of the Palace (Fu Zhigong). After several years of management and renovation, he restored the palace to its former glory.
After that, he declined to handle palace affairs, secluded himself at home, and lived a quiet life for more than 30 years. He named his residence "Sanyi Hall" (Hall of the Three in One) and styled himself "Mr. Sanyi" (Master of the Three in One). Every day, he read the Daozang (Taoist Canon), studied esoteric teachings, and researched medicine and healing.
Wang Bingwen passed away in the second month of the Qiandao era of Emperor Xiaozong (1166).
His works include: Shengzhi Xianyan Ji (Collection of Manifested Miracles of Sage Governance, 14 volumes), Xishan Zhenjun Qian Jie (Explanations of the Divination Lots by the True Lord of Xishan), Shiquan Maijue (The Complete Ten-Meridian Formula), and Chaodou Ziting Mijue (Esoteric Secrets of Worshiping the Dipper in the Purple Court, 1 volume).
(From Volume 51 of Lishi Zhenxian Tidao Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror of Real Immortals and Dao Practitioners Through the Ages))
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 the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
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