The Zhang Liusun 张留孙

Zhang Liusun (1248-1321) had the courtesy name Shihan. He was a native of Guixi in Xinzhou (now part of Jiangxi Province).

In his youth, he entered Daguan Yuan (Daguan Courtyard) on Longhu Mountain to become a Taoist priest and studied under Celestial Master Zhang Zongyan, thus becoming a Taoist of the Zhengyi School.

In the 13th year of the Zhiyuan reign period (1276), he accompanied his teacher to the capital to offer congratulations to the emperor. He was then kept in Beijing to serve the imperial court, granted the title of "Shangqing" (Senior Minister), and a Chongzhen Guan (Chongzhen Taoist Temple) was built for him to reside in. An imperial edict appointed him to exclusively take charge of ritual affairs in the capital. In the 15th year of the Zhiyuan reign period (1278), he was awarded a silver seal and conferred the title of "Xuanjiao Zongshi" (Patriarch of the Xuanjiao School). He also held the position of overseeing Taoist affairs in various circuits south of the Yangtze River. During the Dade reign period (1297-1307), he was given the additional title of "Xuanjiao Dazongshi" (Great Patriarch of the Xuanjiao School) and concurrently managed Taoist affairs at the Jixian Yuan (Academy of Scholarly Worthies).

When Emperor Wuzong ascended the throne (1307), Zhang Liusun’s title was changed to "Dazhenren" (Great Immortal), a position ranking above "Daxueshi" (Grand Secretary), and he was put in charge of Taoist affairs across all circuits in the country.

In the 2nd year of the Yanyou reign period (1315) of Emperor Renzong, he was bestowed the additional title of "Fucheng Zanhua Baoyun Xuanjiao Dazongshi" (Great Patriarch of the Xuanjiao School Who Assists Achievement, Praises Transformation, and Protects Fortune) and promoted to the rank of "Kaifu Yitong Sansi" (a top-ranking honorary official with privileges equivalent to three key ministers).

Shortly after, he was further granted the title of "Chandao Hongjiao Chongyuan Renjing Dazhenren" (Great Immortal Who Spreads the Dao, Promotes Teaching, Maintains Primordial Purity, and Embodies Benevolence and Tranquility). He passed away in the 1st year of the Zhizhi reign period (1321) at the age of 74.

In the 1st year of the Tianli reign period (1328) of Emperor Wenzong, he was posthumously awarded the title of "Daozu Shengying Zhenjun" (True Lord of the Dao Ancestor Who Responds to Divine Call).

Zhang Liusun was the first Great Patriarch of the Xuanjiao School during the Yuan Dynasty.