The Yu Shanqing 于善庆

Yu Shanqing (1166-1250) was a native of Ninghai, Shandong (now Muping District, Shandong Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties, with the courtesy name Boxiang.

As recorded in the second volume of Zhongnan Mountain Ancestral Court Immortals and Real Persons Internal Biography: Yu Shanqing was born into an eminent family. When he grew up, he was fond of reading and proficient in Confucian classics, history, and the studies of "Dao (the Way), virtue, nature, and destiny" (a philosophical system integrating Confucian and Taoist thoughts). In the 22nd year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1182), Ma Danyang preached the doctrines of Quanzhen Taoism at the Golden Lotus Taoist Altar in Ninghai. Ma was impressed by Yu Shanqing’s uniqueness, so he allowed Yu to follow him, holding his desk, staff, and other items (as a sign of serving and learning from his mentor).

The following year, Ma Danyang passed away due to illness. Yu Shanqing then went directly to Longmen Mountain in Longzhou to pay homage to the Real Person Qiu Changchun (Qiu Chuji). Qiu instructed Yu to turn to the Real Person Changzhen (Tan Chuduan) in Luoyang as his teacher, from whom Yu received the core mental cultivation methods of Quanzhen Taoism.

In the early years of the Mingchang era (around 1190), Yu Shanqing entered the Qin region (roughly modern Shaanxi and Gansu). He chose a place to live on the southeast peak of Wuyue Mountain, chiseled a cave in the rock to reside in, and ate only one meal a day. He cut off contact with the outside world to practice Taoism for seven to eight years. At that time, people called his cave "the Cave of Real Person Yu".

During the Cheng’an era (1196-1200), Yu founded Yuqing Guan (Yuqing Temple) at Shimen in Qianyang. His reputation in the Taoist community grew increasingly prominent, reaching the imperial court. The Emperor bestowed upon him the title "Great Master Tixuan" (Great Master of Embodiment of Mystery). In the 3rd year of the Taihe era (1203), the title was changed to "Great Master Chongxu" (Great Master of Transcendence and Emptiness) by imperial decree.

In the 5th year of the Taihe era (1205), Yu Shanqing paid homage to Qiu Changchun again, seeking enlightenment and verification of his "heart seal" (a symbol of attaining the essence of Taoism). Soon after, he returned and secluded himself in Tianping Mountain in Xiangzhou.

In the 6th year (1206), he went back to the Qianlong region (Qianyang and Longzhou areas). From then on, his fame spread far and wide.

In the 2nd year of the Yuanguang era (1223), military chaos broke out in Longshan. Li Chongxu from Zhongtaiyi Palace recommended Yu Shanqing to be the abbot of Zhongtaiyi Palace, but Yu declined the appointment. In the 1st year of the Zhengda era (1224), Yu served as a "Jidu Shi" (a Taoist master in charge of rituals for saving sentient beings).

To mourn the soldiers who died in the Western Army battles, Yu held a Taoist prayer ceremony (Jiao) in Pingliang. After the ceremony, the Emperor summoned him, but Yu firmly declined the imperial appointment. In the 2nd year of the Zhengda era (1225), he took charge of the affairs of Zhongtaiyi Palace.

In the 7th year (1230), there was a drought in Henan (no rain fell). Yu Shanqing went to Jiyuan to offer incense (a Taoist ritual to pray for divine blessings), and sweet dew (a sign of divine response to sincere prayers) immediately descended. Emperor Aizong of the Jin Dynasty issued a special imperial edict to commend him and ordered him to concurrently take the position of "Tidian" (supervisor) of Wuyue Youshen Guan (Wuyue Mountain Blessing Gods Temple).

In the 2nd year of the Tianxing era (1233), the court sent envoys to visit eminent Taoists across the country, and Yu Shanqing was ranked first among them.

In the 10th year of the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Yuan Dynasty (1238), the Emperor issued an imperial edict to select and examine Taoists and Buddhists nationwide. Prefectures and counties unanimously recommended Yu Shanqing. The Emperor bestowed upon him the title "Real Person Tongxuan Guangde Dongzhen" (Real Person of Penetrating Mystery, Broad Virtue, and Profound Truth) and appointed him as the abbot of Chongyang Wanshou Palace on Zhongnan Mountain.

A large number of Taoist disciples from all over the country came to study under him.

Yu Shanqing passed away in the 5th year of the reign of Emperor Dingzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1250) at the age of 85.

His work Hongzhong Ji (Collection of the Great Bell) has been passed down to later generations.