The Zhang Shaoying 张绍英

The Zhang Shaoying 张绍英

Paul Peng
Zhang Shaoying was a native of Danyang (now part of Jiangsu Province) during the Northern Song Dynasty.
After becoming a Taoist priest, he never set foot in cities or government offices.

Emperor Renzong of Song, who was fully receptive to discussions with people outside the official establishment (i.e., those not holding government positions, such as Taoists and monks), summoned Zhu Ziying and Zhang Shaoying to serve in the court.
When the order arrived, Zhang Shaoying declined to go on the grounds of illness. The following year, Emperor Renzong issued another edict to summon him, but he still refused to go. Two years later, when the imperial messengers arrived again with a carriage to fetch him, he once more claimed illness and did not get up to go.
The emperor then sent a court eunuch named Ren Gui to deliver an official decree to Maoshan Mountain, conferring on Zhang Shaoying the title "Mr. Mingzhen" (Bright and True Gentleman). He also issued an imperial order to designate the hut where Zhang resided as Tiansheng Guan (Tiansheng Taoist Temple).
Zhang Shaoying passed away at the age of seventy-five.
(From Mao Shan Zhi (Records of Maoshan Mountain), Volume 16)
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is one of the curators of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

Read his full story →
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