Liu Chuxuan刘处玄

Style & Daoist names

courtesy name Tongmiao, sobriquet Changshengzi, Perfected Changsheng, Assistant in Transformation and Illuminator of Virtue

Period

Jin

Dates

1147 — 1203

School

Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) Daoism, Suishan Lineage of Quanzhen

Role

Seven Perfected of QuanzhenFounding Patriarch of the Suishan LineageQuanzhen Head of the Order

Birthplace

Donglai (present-day Laizhou, Shandong)

Places of activity

Mount Kunyu

Life

Liu Chuxuan, a native of Donglai, Shandong, was one of the Seven Perfected of Quanzhen, taking Wang Chongyang as his teacher in 1169. After completing his mourning duties at his master's grave, he first lived in reclusion in Luoyang and later returned to Shandong to teach, residing for a long period at Lingxu Temple in Wuguanzhuang, Donglai. In the second year of the Chengan era of Emperor Zhangzong of Jin (1197), he was summoned to the capital and asked about the ultimate Dao, answering with 'few desires and a clear heart'; he was granted the title 'Perfected One Who Assists Transformation and Illumines Virtue,' and during his tenure as head of the teaching Quanzhen Daoism's influence in Shandong grew ever greater — he is regarded as the fourth head of the Quanzhen teaching before Qiu Chuji. Liu Chuxuan placed great emphasis on scriptural doctrine, writing commentaries such as the Daode Jing Zhu, the Huangdi Yinfu Jing Zhu, and the Huangting Neijing Yujing Zhu, as well as the poetry collection Xianle Ji; his teaching centered on joint cultivation of Nature and Life, rooted in clarity and stillness. His lineage is called the Suishan Branch.

Contributions & Influence

• One of the Seven Perfected of Quanzhen; founded the Suishan Branch
• Served as head of the Quanzhen teaching and received the favor of Emperor Zhangzong of Jin
• Wrote commentaries on the Laozi and Zhuangzi as well as the Yinfu Jing and the Huangting Jing, strengthening Quanzhen's scriptural foundations

Works

• Collection of Immortal Music
• Commentary on the Daodejing
• Commentary on the Yinfu Jing
• Commentary on the Jade Scripture of the Yellow Court's Inner Effulgences
• Recorded Sayings of the Utmost Perfection by the Perfected Changsheng of Non-Action and Clarity and Stillness