The Zhou Quandao 周全道
Paul PengShare
Zhou Quandao (1145-1228) was a native of ancient Binzhou (now Bin County, Shaanxi Province) during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His Taoist title was Quanyangzi.
According to Inner Biographies of Immortal Sages from the Ancestral Courtyard of Zhongnan Mountain (Volume Middle): From childhood, Zhou Quandao was quiet and composed, with his behavior and demeanor resembling that of an adult. He lost his father at an early age and devoted himself wholeheartedly to serving his mother.
When his mother suffered from a rare illness, Zhou Quandao cut a piece of flesh from his thigh and mixed it with her medicine for her to take. His filial piety spread throughout the local community, and he became known for this virtue.
After his mother passed away, he made a lifelong vow not to marry. In the 13th year of the Dading era (1173), he went to the Ancestral Hut on Zhongnan Mountain, where he became a disciple of Ma Danyang (a founding master of the Quanzhen Sect) and formally entered Taoism. He served his teacher with utmost diligence. Ma Danyang imparted all his essential Taoist teachings to Zhou Quandao and bestowed upon him the Taoist title "Quanyangzi".
A few years later, following Ma Danyang’s instruction, Zhou Quandao selected a residence at the foot of Yufeng Mountain, where he propagated the traditions and teachings of the Quanzhen Sect.
During the Zhenyou era (1213-1217), the Qiang people captured the Binzhou region. Zhou Quandao was taken prisoner, but he still maintained his moral integrity and pure conduct. The Qiang people regarded him as an extraordinary person and thus released him. After this incident, more and more people came to his door to seek guidance, and he initiated nearly a thousand disciples into Taoism.
Zhou Quandao was kind-hearted and compassionate toward all living beings, showing care and benevolence to the poor and destitute. He lived a simple and frugal life himself but was generous in helping others. He remained humble and modest, adhering to the Taoist principle of "letting things follow their natural course". He was indeed a sage in the Taoist community.
He passed away in the 5th year of the Zhengda era (1228) at the age of 83.
His well-known disciples included Zhang Zhiyuan (with the Taoist title Dongxuzi) and Li Zhiyuan (with the Taoist title Yuanmingzi).
In the 2nd year of the Xianzong era of the Yuan Dynasty (1252), he was posthumously conferred the title "True Person of Broad Virtue and Vast Transformation".
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.
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