The Zhu Quan 朱权

Zhu Quan (1376-1448) was the son of Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty.

His literary names included Hanxuzi (Master Hanxu), Yaoxian (Radiant Immortal), Mr. Danqiu, and Daming Qishi (Extraordinary Scholar of the Great Ming), with an alternative title of Xuanzhou Daoist (Taoist of Xuanzhou).

He was initially enfeoffed as Prince Ning. However, he set his heart on a life beyond worldly affairs, so he resigned his title and hung his official hat at the palace gate. Later, he went to Tianbao Grotto in Yuzhang, built a thatched hut to reside in, and propagated the teachings of Jingming Taoism—focused on purity, enlightenment, loyalty, and filial piety.

Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty summoned him to the court many times, but he declined all invitations. The emperor then conferred on him the title "Zhenren Hanxu" (True Person Hanxu) and bestowed the honorific name "Shuxian" (Dawn Immortal).

He was erudite and versatile, proficient in poetry, prose, classics and history, medicine, as well as Taoist doctrines and practices. He was a Taoist friend (beyond secular ties) with figures like Zhang Sanfeng and Zhou Dianxian. He produced numerous works, such as Dongtian Midian (Esoteric Canon of Grotto Heavens), Taiqing Yuce (Jade Book of the Great Purity), Shenyin (Hidden in the Divine), Jingming Aolun (Profound Discourses on Jingming), Jixing Bianlan (Handbook of Auspicious Stars), Qiankun Shengyi (Vital Principles of Heaven and Earth), and Yaoxian Huoren Xinfa (Radiant Immortal’s Heart Method for Sustaining Life). These works were printed and circulated in the world.

He passed away at the age of 73 and was posthumously awarded the title "Xian" (the Virtuous). Hence, he was known as Prince Ningxian (Prince Ning the Virtuous). Detailed records of his life can be found in the "Biography of Princes" in The History of the Ming Dynasty and Volume 6 of Taishang Lingbao Jingming Zongjiaolu (Religious Records of the Supreme Numinous Treasure Jingming Sect).