Jian Zhongyang

Jian Zhongyang, styled Zhihe, was from Wuchang, Hubei Province. A famous Taoist priest on Wudang Mountain in the Ming Dynasty. According to the "Great Mountain Taihe Mountain Annals" of the Ming Dynasty, Jian Zhongyang was not fond of wealth and honor since childhood. After wandering around the world for a long time, he was taught the Zhonghuang Shangdao and the Qingwei Lei Fa by an extraordinary person. In the 24th year of the Hongwu reign (1391 AD), he secluded himself on the peak of Zixiao Peak in Wudang Mountain, fasting and sitting in seclusion. He has many disciples from the same hometown. In the fourth year of Yongle (1406 AD), he was summoned by the imperial court and asked about Emperor Xuan's ascension to the throne. He answered each question one by one. He then bestowed the Ministry of Rites' amulet certificate and returned it to the mountain. Later, he secluded himself in a secluded room on the peak of the Blessed Land for quiet meditation. After the grand renovation of the palaces and temples in Wudang in the tenth year of Yongle, everyone recalled that Jian Zhongyang had such foresight long ago. One night later, Jian Zhongyang told his disciples, "Now the Taoist atmosphere in the mountain gate has greatly improved. In fact, it is a once-in-a-thousand-years grand occasion. I will be more than enough to go!" Having finished speaking, he sat upright and passed away. Yin Jian was buried with him on the west slope of the Ziji Palace (the location of the ruins is unknown now, or it might be another name for the Zixiao Palace).