Wang Xuanlan (626-697), whose given name was Hui, was a native of Mianzhu in Guanghan (now part of Sichuan Province) and a renowned Taoist priest in the Tang Dynasty. According to records, Wang Xuanlan once went to Mount Mao with fellow townsmen to study Taoism. On the way, he sighed with emotion that "the way to immortality cannot be practiced together with others", so he returned to his hometown and devoted himself to pursuing Taoism.
He extensively studied Taoist and Buddhist scriptures and theories, striving to explore their origins and profound meanings. When Wang Xuanlan was 49 years old, Li Xiaoyi, the provincial governor of Yizhou, summoned him and showed great respect for him. Later, Wang Xuanlan lived in the Zhizhen Temple in Chengdu, often discussing scriptures and Taoism with scholars and Taoists, and became famous far and wide. In the first year of Shenggong during the Wu Zhou period (697), Wang Xuanlan was summoned to the capital. He passed away when he reached Luozhou, and was given the title "Mr. Hongyuan".
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The Early Years: A Seeker Who Found No Companions on the Mountain
- Birth & Roots: Born as Wang Hui in Mianzhu, Guanghan (modern Sichuan), a land of misty peaks and bamboo groves.
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The Turning Point: At 20, he joined villagers on a pilgrimage to Maoshan, the sacred Daoist mountain. But halfway up, he stopped, sighed, and said:
"The Tao of immortality cannot be shared like a meal. Each must cook it in their own hearth."
He turned back, not in defeat, but in clarity: "Why seek enlightenment outside when the universe dwells within?"
For decades, he lived as a recluse, studying:
- Daoist Classics: Daodejing, Zhuangzi, Huainanzi
- Buddhist Sutras: Diamond Sutra, Lankavatara Sutra
- Alchemical Texts: The Canon of Great Peace, The Secret of the Golden Flower
He once told a disciple:
"A scholar reads words; a sage reads silence. The Dao speaks in whispers, not thunder."
Middle Life: From Hermit to Master of Chengdu
| Year/Era | Milestone | His Words (Paraphrased) |
|---|---|---|
| 675 CE (Age 49) | Yi Prefecture’s governor Li Xiaoyi sought him out, calling him "a dragon hidden in a well." Wang Xuanlan replied: "Dragons need no sky; they swim in the mind’s ocean." Yet he accepted Li’s patronage, moving to Chengdu’s Zhizhen Observatory. | "A true teacher is like water—yielding, yet shaping stone." |
| 680s–690s | At Zhizhen, he hosted daily debates with: |
- Buddhist monks ("Emptiness is not nothingness; it’s the canvas of existence.")
- Confucian scholars ("Ritual is a boat; the Dao is the river. Don’t confuse the vessel for the current.")
- Even local farmers ("A plowshare digs deeper than a sword.")
His fame spread. Pilgrims came not for miracles, but for "a glance that pierced illusion." | "Wisdom is not in having answers, but in asking better questions." |
The Philosophy of Wang Xuanlan: Three Keys to His Teaching
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"The Tao is Both One and Many"
- He rejected rigid dualism:
"To say ‘Dao vs. Buddha’ is like arguing whether the moon reflects in a lake or a cup. The light is the same."
- Practice: Meditate on "the unity of opposites"—stillness in motion, life in death, self in other.
- He rejected rigid dualism:
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"Enlightenment is Not a Gift; It’s a Recognition"
- When a disciple asked, "How do I attain the Tao?" he laughed:
"You’ve been carrying it since birth! You just forgot where you put it."
- Metaphor: Like a child crying for their shadow, we chase what we already possess.
- When a disciple asked, "How do I attain the Tao?" he laughed:
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"Words Are Fingers Pointing at the Moon—Don’t Mistake the Finger for the Moon"
- He rarely wrote down his teachings, saying:
"Scripts decay; the spoken word fades. Only the unspoken remains."
- Legacy: His oral teachings later influenced "Zhongxuan School" (Middle Revelation Daoism), which blended Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian thought.
- He rarely wrote down his teachings, saying:
Final Years: The Journey to the Capital and Beyond
- 697 CE: Empress Wu Zetian (r. 684–705) summoned him to Luoyang, calling him "Hongyuan Xiansheng" ("Master of the Primordial Source").
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The Death That Wasn’t a Death:
- As his caravan neared Luoyang, he stopped by the Luo River, smiled, and said:
"Why go further? The capital is here."
- He closed his eyes, breathed once, and died peacefully.
- Rumor: His body vanished three days later, leaving only a lotus flower and a scroll with one word: "Return."
- As his caravan neared Luoyang, he stopped by the Luo River, smiled, and said:
How to Honor Wang Xuanlan Today
- Embrace Paradox: When stuck in "either/or" thinking, ask: "What if both are true?"
- Question Your Questions: Before seeking answers, ask: "Am I asking the right question?"
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Find the Tao in the Ordinary:
- Sip tea as if it’s nectar.
- Walk slowly, feeling each step connect to the earth.
- When angry, pause and whisper: "This, too, is the Tao."
