Li Zhichang李志常

Style & Daoist names

courtesy name Haoran, sobriquet Zhenchangzi, Perfected Zhenchang of Supreme Virtue

Period

Jin–Yuan

Dates

1193 — 1256

School

Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) Daoism, Longmen (Dragon Gate) Lineage of Quanzhen

Role

Quanzhen Head of the OrderWriter

Birthplace

Guancheng, Kaizhou (present-day Shenxian, Shandong)

Places of activity

White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Guan), Beijing

Life

Li Zhichang, the seventh head of the Quanzhen teaching, renounced the household in his early years and studied under Qiu Chuji; in 1220 he accompanied his teacher on the ten-thousand-li journey west, and afterward wrote the Changchun Zhenren Xiyouji, recording the mountains, rivers, and customs along the way as well as the audience with Genghis Khan — a primary historical source for the study of early Mongol-Yuan history and Sino-Western contact. In 1238 he succeeded Yin Zhiping as head of the teaching, receiving great favor from the Mongol khans Ögedei, Güyük, and Möngke, and was granted the title Perfected One Zhenchang, True Transmitter of the Mysterious Gate and Propagator of the Teaching; during his eighteen years as head of the teaching, Quanzhen Daoism reached the height of its power, with temples spread throughout the north. However, the Buddhist–Daoist debates provoked by the Laozi Huahu Jing between 1255 and 1258 ended in Quanzhen's defeat, and he died in 1256 under the resulting pressure, after which Quanzhen Daoism began its decline from its peak. Li Zhichang wrote the Youxuan Ji, among other works.

Contributions & Influence

• Wrote the Changchun Zhenren Xiyouji, a precious historical source for Sino-Western contact
• Served as head of the teaching for eighteen years, during which Quanzhen Daoism reached its height
• Oversaw the carving and printing of the Xuandu Baozang (later destroyed by fire)

Works

• Journey to the West of the Perfected Changchun
• Collection of Further Mystery (lost)
• Recorded Sayings of the Perfected Zhenchang