Shao Yuanjie邵元节

Style & Daoist names

Style name Zhongkang, Styled Xueya, Perfected Person of Qingwei Who Wondrously Aids, Preserves Stillness, Cultivates Perfection, Concentrates the Mystery, Extends the Model, Silently Aspires, Upholds Sincerity and Attains Unity, Minister of Rites (posthumously conferred)

Period

Ming

Dates

1459 — 1539

School

Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Daoism, Qingwei (Pure Tenuity) School

Role

Daoshi (Daoist Priest)Court Daoist LeaderMaster of Retreats and Offerings

Birthplace

Guixi (present-day Guixi, Jiangxi)

Places of activity

Mount Longhu (Dragon and Tiger Mountain)

Life

Shao Yuanjie, a native of Guixi, Jiangxi, was a Daoist priest of the Shangqing Palace at Mount Longhu, who studied under Fan Wentai, Li Bofang, and others, learning the Qingwei Thunder Rites and rites of retreat and offering. Summoned to the capital in the third year of Jiajing (1524), he won the deep trust and favor of Emperor Shizong through the efficacy of his rain-prayers and prayers for royal heirs, and was repeatedly granted the title "Perfected Being of Utmost Unity," given overall charge of Daoist affairs, and put in control of the Chaotian, Xianling, and Lingji Palaces, with a rank of Second Grade and the robes of the First Grade — making him the first Daoist priest to rise to power during Emperor Shizong's devotion to Daoism. He conducted a great many rites of retreat, offering, and prayer for the emperor, and recommended Tao Zhongwen for a position at court. He died in the eighteenth year of Jiajing (1539), was posthumously granted the title Junior Preceptor, given the posthumous name "Wenkang Rongjing," and was given an exceptionally grand funeral. Shao Yuanjie's rise to power marks the political high point of Daoism under the Jiajing reign, and also drew censure from later historians.

Contributions & Influence

• Given overall charge of Daoist affairs in the early Jiajing reign, bringing Zhengyi Daoism to the height of its power under the Ming
• Recommended Tao Zhongwen, shaping the pattern of Jiajing-era devotion to Daoism
• Served the court through the Qingwei Thunder Rites and rites of retreat and offering