The Wang Zhitan 王志坦

Wang Zhitan was a native of Tangyin in Xiangzhou (now part of Henan Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His courtesy name was Gongping, and his literary name was Chunhe.

According to the Stele Inscribing the Daoist Deeds of the Real Person Chunhe, Patron of True Faith and Radiant Teaching by Gao Ming: At the age of 19, Wang Zhitan became a Taoist monk and studied under Lu Rouhe, the "Daolu" (a Taoist administrative official in charge of temple affairs) of Huayang Palace, whom he regarded as his respected teacher.

In the second year of the Yuanguang era (1223) of the Jin Dynasty, he went to Xuande to pay homage to Qiu Changchun (a leading master of the Quanzhen School). In the fifth year of the Zhengda era (1228), when he heard that Patriarch Qinghe was residing in Yanjing (the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, present-day Beijing), he went there to pay his respects and seek guidance.

Shortly after, he directly retreated to Jinpo Mountain to practice Taoist asceticism. He lived on wild fruits from trees and drinking water from mountain streams, and did not leave the mountain for more than ten years. People from nearby villages and towns all referred to him as "Master Wang of Jinpo, a man of profound Dao".

In the 16th year of the Yuan Taizong era (1244), Real Person Zhenchang (a senior Quanzhen Taoist master) appointed him as a "Dudu Shi" (a high-ranking Taoist title for those proficient in doctrines and rituals). Wang Zhitan then accompanied Real Person Zhenchang on a northern journey to receive the "Sandong Mizhuan" (esoteric Taoist scriptures and ordination certificates of the "Three Grottoes" tradition). With these sacred teachings, he performed rituals for prayer, exorcism, and healing, helping to cure people’s illnesses.

He stayed in the imperial palace to serve the Empress Dowager for as long as six years. Later, he went to Yanjing and took up the position of "Jiaomen Dutidian" (Chief Supervisor of Taoist Affairs), overseeing Taoist activities across regions.

In the first year of the Yuan Xianzong era (1251), when Real Person Zhenchang held rituals to worship famous mountains and rivers (Yuedu), he appointed Wang Zhitan as his assistant to accompany him on the journey.

In the third year (1253), the Emperor asked Wang Zhitan about the art of preserving health and prolonging life. He replied, "This is suitable for reclusive ascetics living in the mountains and forests; it is not an urgent matter for the Son of Heaven. As the Son of Heaven, you rule on behalf of Heaven and manage all earthly affairs. You should follow the will of Heaven, bring benefits to the people, and then Heaven will bestow longevity and blessings upon you." He then proposed holding a grand Huanglu Jiao (a major Taoist ritual for praying for national prosperity and people’s well-being) for the state. The Emperor was delighted and issued an imperial edict to hold the ritual at Changchun Palace.

In the first year of the Zhiyuan era (1264), Yang Tiling, a resident of Yanjing, built a Huan’an (a small Taoist hermitage) at his private residence and invited Wang Zhitan to live there.

In the seventh year (1270), Wang Zhitan succeeded to the senior leadership position of the Quanzhen School and was awarded the additional title "Real Person Chunhe, Patron of True Faith and Radiant Teaching". He had an elegant and dignified appearance and loved reading, with a particular interest in the study of "Xingli" (a Confucian-Taoist integrated theory focusing on human nature and cosmic principles). He initiated thousands of disciples into Taoism and built hundreds of Taoist temples and halls.

His works include Record of Faith and The Painting of Six Oxen, which have been passed down to later generations. In the ninth year of the Zhiyuan era (1272), he passed away from illness at Changchun Palace at the age of 73.

Details of his life can also be found in Volume 7 of Ganshui Xianyuan Lu (Records of the Immortal Origins by the Sweet Water).