The Zhang Daoqing 张道清

Zhang Daoqing (1136–1207), courtesy name Deyi, was a native of Dansheng in Pusao (now Yingcheng County, Hubei Province) during the Southern Song Dynasty.

In the 27th year of the Shaoxing era (1157), he encountered an extraordinary person who imparted to him esoteric formulas and sacred texts. From then on, his prayers for divine intervention proved effective, and any illness he treated was cured immediately.

In the first year of the Qiandao era of Emperor Xiaozong’s reign (1165), Zhang donated his residence to convert it into a shrine, where he enshrined the Jade Emperor. The following year, he traveled to famous mountains in the Xiangyang-Han River region. During this journey, he befriended Monk Muge, the abbot of Hongshan Main Temple. In the first year of the Chunxi era (1174), Zhang arrived at Longhu Mountain and received the Shangqing Dadong Zhuan (Great Cavern Talisman of the Shangqing Sect)—a key ritual initiation in Taoism.

The locals of Pusao held Zhang in even greater admiration for the miraculous powers of his Taoist doctrines and practices. They built a shrine on the spiritually charged land of Qingniu Mountain to offer incense and worship him.

In the 10th year of the Chunxi era (1183), Zhang cured the illness of Princess Qi’an using Zhuyou Shu (the Taoist Art of Incantation and Healing).

In the 11th year of the Chunxi era (1184), he returned to his hometown and built the Changshen Shrine. In the 15th year of the Chunxi era (1188), he went to Jiugong Mountain and established ritual altars and grounds there.

In the first year of the Shaoxi era of Emperor Guangzong’s reign (1190), the imperial court issued an edict summoning him to the capital, but he declined. Instead, the emperor granted permission to rename his hermitage "Qintian Guan" (Heaven-Observing Taoist Temple). In the 5th year of the Shaoxi era (1194), Zhang was conferred the title "Zhenmu Zhenren" (True Person of Sincere Pastoral Care).

In the 4th year of the Jiatai era (1204), Emperor Ningzong added to his title, making it "Taiping Huguo Zhenmu Zhenren" (True Person of Sincere Pastoral Care for Peace and National Protection), and renamed the temple "Qintian Ruiqing Gong" (Heaven-Observing Palace of Auspicious Celebration).

In July of the 3rd year of the Kaixi era (1207), Zhang Daoqing passed away at Jiugong Mountain.

In the 4th year of the Shaoding era of Emperor Lizong’s reign (1231), he was posthumously awarded the additional title "Zhenmu Puying Zhenren" (True Person of Sincere Pastoral Care and Universal Response).

The Jiugongshan Zhenling Quanzhuan (Complete Biography of the True Spirits of Jiugong Mountain) provides a detailed account of his life. His story can also be found in Volume 4 of the Lishi Zhenxian Tidao Tongjian Xubian (Continued Comprehensive Mirror of Real Immortals Who Embodied the Dao Through the Ages).