The Wang Daojian 王道坚

Wang Daojian was a native of Guixi, Jiangxi, who lived during the late Northern Song Dynasty and early Southern Song Dynasty.

He studied under Zhang Jixian, the Heavenly Master of the Zhengyi Dao (Orthodox Oneness Dao), and mastered the Daoist teachings and esoteric techniques. During the Zhenghe reign period (1111-1118) of the Song Dynasty, he was summoned to the capital and resided at the Taiyi Palace.

Emperor Huizong of Song consulted him on the techniques of cultivation for prolonging life. Wang Daojian replied, "Emperor Xuanyuan (the Yellow Emperor) achieved good governance by adhering to qingjing wuwei (purity, tranquility, and non-action); Emperor Wu of Han achieved no success [in seeking immortality] because he was driven by excessive desires." Emperor Huizong then bestowed upon him the title "Fashi Ningmiao Gantong" (Dharma Master of Condensed Wonder and Responsive Connection).

At that time, the court was collating and finalizing the texts of the Daozang (Daoist Canon). Wang Daojian also participated in this work; he was appointed "Taisu Dafu" (Grand Master of Supreme Simplicity) and "Jiaoji of Ningshen Dian" (Collator of the Hall of Consecrated Spirits), and took part in collating the Daoist scriptures.

Later, he earnestly requested to resign and return to Longhu Mountain. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty, an imperial envoy was sent to summon him again—but when the envoy arrived, Wang Daojian had already passed away.

(Source: Records of Longhu Mountain)