Page 735 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L

LI U YUAN R AN

From then on Liu led a widespread revival of Jingming teachings and became
known for his succinct manner of speech and complete integrity. Just before
his demise, he designated Huang Yuanji as his successor. A selection of Liu's
teachings, entitled Yuzhenxianshengyulu 3S.¥t%j:W~ (Recorded Sayings of
the Elder of Jade Perfection), is contained in the *jingming zhongxiao quanshu
(Complete Writings of the Pure and Bright [Way of] Loyalty and Filiality;j. 3- 5)
compiled by Huang. The biography of Liu Yu in this anthology (I.I8b- 25 b ),
the primary source used here, differs significantly from a longer version in
later accounts.

judith M. BOLTZ
In Akizuki Kan' ei 1978, 142- 44; Boltz J. M. 1987a, 75- 77, 197-99, and 264- 65;
Chen Yuan 1988, 967- 68; Qing Xitai 1994, I: 360-61
* jingming dao

Liu Yuanran

1351- 1432; haD: Tixuan zi 1Jl:"R
(Master Who Embodies the Mystery)

Liu Yuanran was born to Lady Wang .:£ If; and Liu Yuanshou IV ft "Q', son
of the Route Commander of Ganzhou ~ j+l (Jiangxi) Liu Bocheng I V 1B JJX; .
One month later, according to an epigraphic account of 1456, the infant Liu
was so ill that the Route Commander sought counsel in prayer at the local
Xuanmiao guan "R:9')U (Abbey of Mysterious Wonder). Liu's survival led
to his discipleship under an instructor at the abbey named Chen Fangwai ~
:1J )'~, in keeping with the pledge of faith made by his grandfather. At the
age of sixteen he was ordained as a Taoist Master by two instructors named
Hu M and Zhang ,*, apparently affiliated with the Xiangfu gong ;f$W'§
(Palace of Auspicious Talismans) in Fuzhou ~ j'I'1 (Jiangxi). Liu later became
the preeminent disciple of *Zhao Yizhen (?- 1382) at the Ziyang guan ~ Il!ff
U (Abbey of Purple Yang) in Yudu FI} ~ (Jiangxi). Hagiographic texts credit
him with mastering a range of teachings, from *Quanzhen to *Zhengyi. As
Zhao's disciple, Liu came to be known as the sixth-generation patriarch of the
*Jingming dao (Pure and Bright Way). He was widely recognized as a skilled
rainmaker, exorcist, and physician.
In 1393 the Hongwu Emperor (r. 1368- 98) summoned Liu to court and,
convinced of his talents, rewarded him with the title of Gaodao raJ ili (Exalted
Way). He even established a residence for Liu at the Chaotian gong ~ 7C '§