The Xu Benshan 徐本善

The Xu Benshan 徐本善

Paul Peng
Xu Benshan (1851—?) was a native of Qi County, Henan Province, also known as Weiqiao.

In his youth, he became a Taoist priest by studying under Wang Fumiao, the 14th-generation patriarch of the Longmen School on Wudang Mountain. He studied diligently and made steady progress, earning high praise in the Taoist circle.

Later, he went to Xuanmiao Temple in Nanyang, Henan Province to receive the Grand Precepts. In the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (1894), he returned to Wudang Mountain and served as the Chief Taoist Priest of the entire mountain.

Determined to revitalize Wudang Taoism, Benshan sorted out religious affairs, formulated Taoist rules, governed the religion with "precepts", cultivated his nature and conduct with faith, and established merits externally.

He founded two schools at Taihe Palace, opened Zixiao Palace as a ten-direction jungle (a Taoist temple open to monks and priests from all over the world), and recruited wandering Taoists from all regions.

He built a precept platform, engraved and printed inner alchemy books such as Four Sage Scriptures, Supreme Jade Emperor's Original Deeds Scripture, Imperial Repentance, Big Dipper Scripture, Three Officials Scripture, True Warrior's Original Biography Scripture, Wudang Daily Lessons, Awakening to Truth, Great Achievement Shortcut, and Rootless Tree. He also presided over the compilation of eight volumes of Continued Compilation of the Annals of Da Yue Taihe Mountain.

At the same time, he restored and expanded Yuxu Palace Taoist Courtyard, Taizi Slope Scripture Collection Building, Taihe Palace Imperial Scripture Hall, Golden Summit Divine Path, etc.

His famous disciples included Liu Lishan and Wang Lixue.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

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 one of the curators of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

Read his full story →
Back to blog
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
Shangqing Method Taoist - Cover

Shangqing Method: The Ritual System Nobody Explains Correctly 上清法

Read More ←
No Next Article

Leave a comment

Beginner's Package

View all

Taoist Talismans

View all

Collections

View all
1 4
View all

Popular Items

Year 2026 FAN TAISUI Talisman Personal Protection TAISUI FU 太岁符

Year 2026 FAN TAISUI Talisman Personal Protection TA...

 The Mountain Ghost Thunder Lord Blessing Coin Pendant

The Mountain Ghost Thunder Lord Blessing Coin Pendant

 Taoist I Ching Bagua Guardian Bracelet 易经八卦手串

Taoist I Ching Bagua Guardian Bracelet 易经八卦手串

 Lightning Jujube Wood Gourd for Fortune & Harmony 玉化雷击枣木平安符

Lightning Jujube Wood Gourd for Fortune & Harmony 玉化...

Hot Articles

What is The Taoism? What is the Tao in Taoism? About the Dao De Jing What is taoist feng shui? What is Taoist inner alchemy? What is offending taisui or fan taisui?

Latest Articles

Five Directions Visualization: Taoist Energy Harmony 五方五气存想法 Shangqing Method: The Ritual System Nobody Explains Correctly 上清法 Bai Zhang Ke Ying: Taoist Memorial Response Rite 拜章克应 Lin Mu: Half-Closed Eyes in Taoist Visualization 临目