The Zhang Bai 张白

Zhang Bai was a native of Qinghe (present-day Linqing County, Shandong Province) in the early Northern Song Dynasty. His courtesy name was Xubai, and he styled himself Ziyunzi (Master White Cloud).

He took the imperial examination twice but failed to obtain the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). He studied all Taoist classics thoroughly, practiced the technique of "grain avoidance" (a Taoist ascetic practice of abstaining from staple foods), and focused on nurturing vital energy to preserve his spirit.

During the Kaibao era of Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty (968–976 AD), he traveled south to Jingzhu (a historical region in present-day Hubei and Hunan provinces). Later, he became a Taoist priest at Longxing Temple in Wuling. Zhang Bai was quick-witted and could compose essays or poems extemporaneously—he once wrote 300 poems themed "Spring Scenery in Wuling" within just a few days, which was praised by people at that time. Nobles and senior officials admired his Taoist attainments and often associated with him.

He authored works such as Annotations on the Scripture of Ascending to Mystery, Dispelling Disasters, and Protecting Life, Zhi Xuan Pian (Essays on Pointing to the Mystery), and Dan Tai Ji (Collection of the Elixir Platform), which have been passed down through generations.

(From Lishi Zhenxian Tidao Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror of the True Immortals Who Embodied the Dao Through the Ages), Volume 47)