The Wang Zhijin 王志谨

Wang Zhijin (1178-1263) was a native of Dongming in Caozhou during the Jin and Yuan dynasties, which is now part of Shandong Province. His Taoist title was "Qiyunzi" (Master of Dwelling in Clouds).

At the age of 19, his parents intended to arrange a marriage for him, but Wang Zhijin refused and fled to Shandong.

At that time, the Taoist master Taigu Guangning Zhenren (Real Person Guangning of the Primordial Age) was propagating Taoist teachings in Ninghai. Wang Zhijin was thus accepted as his disciple. Within a few years, he made significant progress in his Taoist studies.

After the death of Taigu Guangning Zhenren, Wang Zhijin traveled west to the Shaanxi and Gansu regions. He usually wore tattered monk’s robes, carried a broken gourd, and had disheveled hair and a dirty face (a sign of ascetic practice). Later, he accompanied Changchun Zhenren (Qiu Chuji) on his northern journey to the Yanjing, Jizhou, and Panshan areas. During the Zhenyou era (1213-1216) of Emperor Xuanzong of the Jin Dynasty, Wang Zhijin established a Taoist school in Panshan, initiated new disciples, and lectured on the meanings of Taoist scriptures. A large number of students from all over the country came to study under him.

When expounding Taoist doctrines, Wang Zhijin took The Scripture of Purity and Tranquility as the core tenet. He also integrated the theories of Chan Buddhism—such as "the inherent purity of mind-nature" and "karmic retribution and reincarnation"—and required practitioners to live in poverty and uphold simplicity. He passed away due to illness in the 4th year of the Zhongtong era (1263) at the age of 86.

In the 2nd year of the Zhiyuan era (1265), an imperial edict sealed with the imperial seal was issued, specially conferring upon him the title "Zhende Zhenren Who Is Benevolent, Benefits All Beings" ("Huici Liwu Zhide Zhenren"). His notable disciples included Lun Zhiyuan and Wei Zhiyan, among others.

Lun Zhiyuan compiled Recorded Sayings of Real Person Wang Qiyun of Panshan in one volume, which has been handed down to later generations.

Accounts of his life can also be found in Volume 4 of Records of Immortal Origins from Sweet Water (Ganshui Xianyuan Lu).