The Xiao Zhichong 萧志冲

Xiao Zhichong (1151-1216) was a native of Tangyi, Bozhou (now part of Shandong Province) during the Jin Dynasty.

He was originally surnamed Wang, with the courtesy name Yongdao and the literary name Xuanpuzi.

His family had revered Taoism for generations and received the Taoist ordination certificates (Fa Lu) conferred on "Real Persons" (a Taoist honorific). At the age of 16, when his father and elder brothers discussed arranging a marriage for him, he fled and went to Weizhou. There, he first studied under the respected senior Taoist Huo Zihua, and later became a disciple of Xiao Daoxi, the second-generation patriarch of the Taiyi Sect of Taoism.

In the 16th year of the Dading era (1176), a general examination was held for Taoist practitioners, and he was selected for his proficiency in Taoist scriptures. In the 17th year (1177), he received formal Taoist ordination, was appointed as the "Wei Yi" (a Taoist official in charge of rituals and discipline) within the jurisdiction of Weizhou, and took charge of the sect’s affairs. When the second-generation patriarch (Xiao Daoxi) was about to step down, he handed over the ritual instruments (Fa Ju) to Xiao Zhichong and had him change his surname to Xiao.

Shortly after, Xiao Zhichong was recommended as a "person of noble virtue" and was appointed to manage the Tianchang Guan (Tianchang Temple) in Zhongdu (the capital of the Jin Dynasty, now southwest of Beijing). In the first year of the Taihe era (1201), the Emperor, who was already advanced in age and had not yet designated an heir, held a grand Taoist ritual "Putian Dajiao" (a large-scale prayer ceremony for universal blessings) at the Taiqing Palace in Bozhou, and Xiao Zhichong was among the primary participants. In the 5th year of the Taihe era (1205), he went to the Taiji Palace in Zhongdu again to recite scriptures for a hundred days. In the first year of the Da’an era (1209), he was specially awarded a set of "Shangqing Dadong" ritual robes (a type of sacred Taoist attire for high-ranking practitioners).

Throughout his life, Xiao Zhichong rarely showed signs of joy or anger; he was gentle and mild-mannered, seemingly taciturn. However, when facing important matters, he could resolve difficulties decisively with just a few words.

He was well-versed in works of various historical schools and scholars, and particularly excelled in Zuo’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. His wisdom and insight were far beyond that of ordinary people.

He passed away in July of the 4th year of the Zhenyou era (1216) at the age of 66, and was posthumously given the title "Xuji Real Person" (Real Person of Emptiness and Tranquility).

Details of his life can be found in "Epitaph of Duke Xiao, the Third-Generation Ordaining Master of the Taiyi Sect" in Volume 42 of Hunan Yilao Ji (Collected Works of the Retired Scholar from Hunan).