The Xu Taihuan 徐太焕

Xu Taihuan was a native of Wuxi, Changzhou, during the Qing Dynasty.

He was also known simply as Huan; his courtesy name was Taihuan, and he styled himself "Helingzi" (the Adept of Crane Ridge). His disciples addressed him as "Daoye of Heling" (Taoist Master of Heling).

As recorded in Jingai Xindeng (The Golden Canopy Lamp of the Heart): "He was extremely erudite (literally 'his learning could fill five carriages') and free from the distinction between 'self' and 'others' (a Taoist state of impartiality). He was skilled at debating and analyzing arguments, and his strategies were grand yet meticulous."

In the 19th year of the Kangxi reign (1690), he entered Jingshan Mountain (Golden Canopy Mountain) and sought Taoist teachings from Tao Shian, a Lvshi (Precept Master). When he was over thirty, he went to Guanshan Mountain to pay his respects to Yunyinzi (Lü Shoupu, also known as Lü Yunyin), from whom he received the Three Major Precepts (the core precept system of Taoism, including the Chuzhen Precepts, Zhongji Precepts, and Tianxian Precepts). After Yunyinzi passed away, Xu Taihuan resumed his travels to famous mountains and rivers across the country.

He once gained the recognition of General Nian Gengyao, and accompanied the military into Tibet. After Tibet was pacified, he retired to Tiantai Mountain and lived in seclusion there.