The Zhang Yucai 张与材
Paul PengShare
Zhang Yucai (?-1316), courtesy name Guoliang and literary name Guangweizi, was a native of Guixi, Xinzhou (now in Jiangxi Province).
In the first year of the Yuanzhen era (1295), he succeeded his elder brother Zhang Yudi as the Celestial Master, becoming the 38th Celestial Master of the Zhengyi Sect (Orthodox Unity Sect) of Taoism.
In the second year of the Yuanzhen era (1296), he was summoned to the imperial capital by imperial edict, conferred the honorific title "True Person of Supreme Simplicity, Concentrated Spirit, and Expansive Dao", and was put in charge of Taoism in the Jiangnan region (the area south of the Yangtze River).
In the second year of the Dade era (1298), the coastal areas of Haining Prefecture in Zhejiang Province suffered from severe tidal disasters. Zhang Yucai was ordered to hold a jiao (Taoist ritual ceremony) to mitigate the disaster. After performing the ritual, he threw a Taoist talisman and an iron pestle into the water; the tidal chaos ceased immediately. The emperor highly praised and generously rewarded him for this achievement.
In the eighth year of the Dade era (1304), he was appointed as the Leader of the Zhengyi Sect, tasked with overseeing the Taoist talismans (fulu) of three sacred mountains—Ganzao Mountain, Maoshan Mountain, and Longhu Mountain—and governing all Taoist fasting rituals (zhaijiao) and esoteric practices. When Emperor Wuzong of the Yuan Dynasty ascended the throne (1307), Zhang Yucai was specially granted the title "Jinzi Guanglu Dafu" (Grand Master of Glorious Prosperity with Golden and Purple Insignia), enfeoffed as "Duke of Liu", and awarded a gold official seal.
When Emperor Renzong ascended the throne (1311), Zhang Yucai continued to inherit his title and position. He was bestowed with a precious crown, a Taoist robe embroidered with gold patterns, and other gifts.
He passed away in the third year of the Yanyou era (1316). Posthumously, he was conferred the title "Great True Person of Supreme Simplicity, Concentrated Spirit, Expansive Dao, Bright Virtue".
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 →
