Zhang Daoling
Encyclopedia
Zhang Ling style name
Fuhan , was an Eastern Han Dynasty
Taoist
hermit who founded the Way of the Celestial Masters sect of Taoism, which is also known as the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice
.
He is also known as Zhang Daoling , Celestial Master Zhang (張天師), Ancestral Celestial Master (祖天師) or Zhengyi Zhenren (正一真人) to Taoists. Zhang is sometimes pictured riding on a tiger. In some Taoist sects, Zhang, along with Ge Xuan
, Xu Xun and Sa Shoujian, are called the "Four Celestial Masters" (四大天師).
Zhang traced his ancestral home to Feng County, Jiangsu
, and was said to be a descendant of Zhang Liang. He was born in the tenth year of the Jianwu era during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of Han
. He started reading the Tao Te Ching
at a young age and studied in the Taixue
(Imperial Academy) before. He served as a magistrate in Jiangzhou, Ba Commandery (present-day Chongqing
) during the reign of Emperor Ming of Han
.
Zhang later retired and led a reclusive life at Mount Beimang, where he practiced ways of achieving longevity
. When invited to serve as a boshi (equivalent of a present-day professor) in the Imperial Academy, he claimed that he was ill. Emperor He of Han
summoned him thrice to serve as the Taifu (Imperial Tutor) but he refused again.
According to tradition, in 142, Laozi
appeared to Zhang on Mount Heming, and informed the hermit that the world was coming to an end, to be followed by an era of Great Peace. Laozi explained that those following him would go on to another life, part of the "Orthodox One Covenant with the Powers". Through this covenant, Zhang and his followers would have access to the assistance of celestial powers who control the fate of mankind.
Zhang went on to found the first regular Taoist community as noted above. A major change instituted by the new Covenant was the rejection of food and animal sacrifices. Also, the teachings of Laozi as transmitted by Zhang included the first true Taoist religious pantheon as distinguished from the prior ancient religion of China
. Zhang also wrote a 24 volume Taoist classic, said to be the Xiang'er
, a commentary to the Tao Te Ching.
Zhang died on Mount Qingcheng
in 156 during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han
at the age of 123. However, it is also said that Zhang did not die. Instead, he ascended to Heaven with his wife and two disciples, and became an immortal.
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Fuhan , was an Eastern Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
Taoist
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
hermit who founded the Way of the Celestial Masters sect of Taoism, which is also known as the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice
Way of the Five Pecks of Rice
Way of the Five Pecks of Rice or the Way of the Celestial Master, commonly abbreviated to simply The Celestial Masters, is a Chinese Taoist movement that was founded by the first Celestial Master Zhang Daoling in 142 CE. At its height, the movement controlled a theocratic state in the Hanzhong...
.
He is also known as Zhang Daoling , Celestial Master Zhang (張天師), Ancestral Celestial Master (祖天師) or Zhengyi Zhenren (正一真人) to Taoists. Zhang is sometimes pictured riding on a tiger. In some Taoist sects, Zhang, along with Ge Xuan
Ge Xuan
Ge Xuan was a Chinese Taoist. He was the ancestor of Ge Hong and a resident of Danyang in the state of Eastern Wu during the period of the Three Kingdoms; namely 220–280 CE. Ge Xuan's paternal grandnephew, Ge Hong, titled him Ge Xian Gong, which translates into "Immortal Lord" or "Transcendent Duke"...
, Xu Xun and Sa Shoujian, are called the "Four Celestial Masters" (四大天師).
Biography
Zhang traced his ancestral home to Feng County, Jiangsu
Feng County, Jiangsu
Feng County, Jiangsu is a county of Jiangsu, China. It is under the administration of Xuzhou city.-References:*...
, and was said to be a descendant of Zhang Liang. He was born in the tenth year of the Jianwu era during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of Han
Emperor Guangwu of Han
Emperor Guangwu , born Liu Xiu, was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty, restorer of the dynasty in AD 25 and thus founder of the Later Han or Eastern Han...
. He started reading the Tao Te Ching
Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching, Dao De Jing, or Daodejing , also simply referred to as the Laozi, whose authorship has been attributed to Laozi, is a Chinese classic text...
at a young age and studied in the Taixue
Taixue
Taixue , or sometimes called the "Imperial Academy", "Imperial School" , "Imperial University" or "Imperial Central University", was the highest rank of educational establishment in Ancient China between the Han Dynasty and Sui Dynasty. It was replaced by the Guozijian...
(Imperial Academy) before. He served as a magistrate in Jiangzhou, Ba Commandery (present-day Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
) during the reign of Emperor Ming of Han
Emperor Ming of Han
Emperor Ming of Han, , was second emperor of the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty.He was the second son of Emperor Guangwu. It was during Emperor Ming's reign that Buddhism began to spread into China. One night, he is said to have dreamed of a golden man or golden men...
.
Zhang later retired and led a reclusive life at Mount Beimang, where he practiced ways of achieving longevity
Longevity
The word "longevity" is sometimes used as a synonym for "life expectancy" in demography or known as "long life", especially when it concerns someone or something lasting longer than expected ....
. When invited to serve as a boshi (equivalent of a present-day professor) in the Imperial Academy, he claimed that he was ill. Emperor He of Han
Emperor He of Han
Emperor He of Han, ch. 漢和帝, py. hàn hé dì, wg. Han Ho-ti, was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty who ruled from 88 to 105. He was the 4th emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty....
summoned him thrice to serve as the Taifu (Imperial Tutor) but he refused again.
According to tradition, in 142, Laozi
Laozi
Laozi was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching . His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism...
appeared to Zhang on Mount Heming, and informed the hermit that the world was coming to an end, to be followed by an era of Great Peace. Laozi explained that those following him would go on to another life, part of the "Orthodox One Covenant with the Powers". Through this covenant, Zhang and his followers would have access to the assistance of celestial powers who control the fate of mankind.
Zhang went on to found the first regular Taoist community as noted above. A major change instituted by the new Covenant was the rejection of food and animal sacrifices. Also, the teachings of Laozi as transmitted by Zhang included the first true Taoist religious pantheon as distinguished from the prior ancient religion of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Zhang also wrote a 24 volume Taoist classic, said to be the Xiang'er
Xiang'er
The Xiang’er is a commentary to the Dao De Jing that is best known for being one of the earliest surviving texts from the Way of the Celestial Master variant of Daoism...
, a commentary to the Tao Te Ching.
Zhang died on Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng is a mountain in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China. It is amongst the most important centres of Taoism in China. In Taoism mythology, it was the site of the Yellow Emperor's studies with Ning Fengzhi. As a centre of the Daoist religion it became host to many temples. The mountain has 36...
in 156 during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han
Emperor Huan of Han
Emperor Huan of Han, ch. 漢桓帝, py. hàn húan dì, wg. Han Huan-ti, was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was a great-grandson of Emperor Zhang....
at the age of 123. However, it is also said that Zhang did not die. Instead, he ascended to Heaven with his wife and two disciples, and became an immortal.
See also
- Way of the Five Pecks of RiceWay of the Five Pecks of RiceWay of the Five Pecks of Rice or the Way of the Celestial Master, commonly abbreviated to simply The Celestial Masters, is a Chinese Taoist movement that was founded by the first Celestial Master Zhang Daoling in 142 CE. At its height, the movement controlled a theocratic state in the Hanzhong...
- Way of the Celestial Masters