The main hall of Langmei Shrine is dedicated to Zhang Sanfeng

#Nan Yan ·2022-08-20 23:32:13

Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty, in memory of Zhang Sanfeng, ordered artisans to create a gilded bronze statue of Zhang Sanfeng, which was transported from Beijing to Wudang Mountain. This divine statue is still well-preserved to this day and is an extremely precious masterpiece of Ming Dynasty statue art. Zhang Sanfeng, a native of Yizhou, Liaodong, is regarded as the founder of the Wudang School in Taoism and revered as the Patriarch. Legend has it that he was tall and strong, with big ears, round eyes, a turtle-shaped back like a crane, and a beard like a halberd. He wears only a tattered garment and a straw rain cape throughout the four seasons. He can predict good and bad fortune and go about impermanence. People think he is a god. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhang Sanfeng entered Wudang and paid homage to Emperor Xuan on Wudang Mountain, offering incense to Emperor Xuan. He often told people, "This mountain will surely thrive in the future." After Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di ascended the throne, he sent his ministers many times with incense and books to invite Zhang Sanfeng to the capital. In the "Imperial Letter", he wrote: "I have long admired the true immortal, and I am eager for my dear to follow his example." He sent envoys to offer incense and letters, and visited many famous mountains to sincerely invite them. True immortals have lofty morality that surpasses all things and are mysterious and unfathomable. I am of mediocre talent and character, yet my sincere desire to see you is never forgotten day and night. Zhang Sanfeng was erudite and talented, becoming the most renowned Taoist priest in the early Ming Dynasty. After the large-scale construction of Wudang Mountain during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, there were as many as 17 schools of Wudang Taoism that took Zhang Sanfeng as their founding master, such as the La Pa School, the Sanfeng School, the Sanfeng Nature School, and the Sanfeng Qingwei School. Zhang Sanfeng was the master of Wudang Neijia Quan. All the schools of Wudang Neijia Quan Revere Zhang Sanfeng as their founding master.