The Dongyuan School: A Taoist sect that values talismans, and produced one generation of Celestial Master and one generation of Medicine King

The Dongyuan School is a sect within Taoism. Taoists pursuing the path of cultivation are granted different talismans based on the depth of their spiritual cultivation. From low to high, they are generally granted the Zheng Yi talisman first, followed by the Dongyuan or Tai Xuan talisman, then the Dong Shen talisman, then the Sheng Xuan talisman, then the Dong Xuan talisman, and the highest being the Dong Zhen Shang Qing talisman. The position of the Dongyuan talisman is even higher than that of the Zheng Yi talisman, demonstrating the influence of this sect in history.

The Dongyuan School originated from the Taoist Wang Zuan of the Maji Mountain during the end of the Jin Dynasty. Wang Zuan claimed to have received the "Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing" bestowed by the Supreme Dao Lord, thereby founding the Dongyuan Taoist sect. Wang Zuan then spread the Dongyuan way in Jiangdong based on the scripture's Abstain from food rituals, attracting many believers. It is said that "the people lived in peace and health, and epidemics were eliminated."

The "Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing" is the main scripture of the Dongyuan School. Its content mainly consists of the talisman language of the Dao Lord, immortals, and ghosts. This is a classic of the Taoist talisman sect. The Dongyuan School was established at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty when "Central Plains was in chaos, famine prevailed, and pestilence emerged." Therefore, the art of Taoist talismans provided special comfort to people. The scripture states, "The True Lord descends, and the evil ones disappear. Heaven sends killing ghosts to eliminate them, purifying the heaven and earth, recreating the sun and the moon, arranging the stars, and changing the tune." In such a chaotic and dark era, an individual's power was insignificant, and such words in the Taoist scripture naturally attracted believers.

The scripture also describes the appearance of a Taoist paradise: "Ruled by non-action, there is no suffering from weapons, criminal laws, and prisons. In a sage-ruled world, the people are prosperous and happy, not greedy for money, and there are no chickens, pigs, dogs, rats, cattle, or horses. Phoenixes and white cranes are domestic chickens, and unicorns and lions are domestic animals." Compared to reality, who wouldn't yearn for the world described in the scripture?

In addition, the founding master Wang Zuan was highly skilled in medicine and was particularly adept at acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. He was from Hailing and practiced in the Maji Mountain for a long time. In the chaotic times, diseases and epidemics were rampant. Wang Zuan, with his kind heart and excellent skills, often treated the common people. It is said that even the birds and beasts in the Maji Mountain received his aid. This naturally attracted many believers to join the Taoist path. Therefore, the Dongyuan School flourished during the Tang Dynasty.

During the Tang Dynasty, the Dongyuan School produced a Celestial Master and a Medicine King. The renowned Tang Dynasty Taoist Ye Fashan was a Taoist of the Dongyuan School. Ye Fashan came from a family of Taoists. From his great-grandfather, three generations were all Taoists, possessing the skills of nurturing and divination. Ye Fashan inherited the family tradition since childhood and was especially proficient in the art of talismans. He went through the reigns of Emperor Gaozong, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty for fifty years. Later, when Emperor Ruizong ascended the throne, he claimed that Ye Fashan had provided assistance from the netherworld and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Yue. This was a high position that many people dreamt of. However, Ye Fashan was not willing to hold an official position and remained a Taoist at ease. It is said that after Ye Fashan's ascension, two copper seals were left behind, commonly known as the "Seals of the Celestial Master". These two copper seals were regarded by Taoists as precious treasures for exorcism.

Wei Shanjun was also a Taoist of the Dongyuan School in the early Tang Dynasty and was respected as the Medicine King. Wei Shanjun had a pet dog named Wulong. Wherever he went, he always gave half of his food to the dog. It is estimated that this was a local dog and not good-looking. Moreover, this dog suffered from scabies and its hair almost fell out. Those who saw it disliked it, but only Wei Shanjun regarded it as a treasure. Later, Wei Shanjun bathed the dog. After the bath, the dog had grown to six or seven feet. After leaving the gate, this dog named Wulong unexpectedly transformed into a dragon, tens of zhang long. Wei Shanjun sat on Wulong and ascended to the heaven by riding the dragon.

Ye Fashan and Wei Shanjun were the most famous Taoists of the Dongyuan School. The ability to cultivate such outstanding talents shows the uniqueness of the Dongyuan School's practice methods.