Tao Zhongwen陶仲文

Style & Daoist names

Originally named Dianzhen, Style name Dianzhen, styled Chengyi (one account), Eminent Scholar of Shenxiao Who Protects the State and Proclaims the Teaching, Junior Tutor, Junior Mentor, Junior Guardian

Period

Ming

Dates

1475 — 1560

School

Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Daoism, Shenxiao (Divine Empyrean) School

Role

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

Birthplace

Huanggang (present-day Huanggang, Hubei)

Life

Tao Zhongwen, a native of Huanggang, Hubei, originally served as a county clerk and practiced the use of talisman water; he was recommended to the capital by Shao Yuanjie. In the eighteenth year of Jiajing (1539) he accompanied Emperor Shizong on a southern tour, and won imperial favor through the "efficacy" of his prayers; after Shao Yuanjie's death he took over the direction of Daoist affairs. He was successively granted the titles "Exalted Scholar of Shenxiao Who Protects the State and Proclaims the Teaching," Minister of Rites, and Junior Guardian, Junior Mentor, and Junior Preceptor — holding all three of the "Three Solitary Ministers" ranks at once, something unprecedented among Ming civil officials, and was regarded by Emperor Shizong as his "teacher." For more than twenty years he directed palace rites of retreat and offering, composed blue-paper petitions (qingci) (qingci), and compounded and presented elixirs, and he was involved in the politics of the late Jiajing reign, wielding power for a time unmatched by any other. He died in the thirty-ninth year of Jiajing (1560) and was posthumously granted further honors. Tao Zhongwen is the culminating figure of Jiajing-era Daoist politics; even after his death Emperor Shizong continued his devotion to Daoism. Historical records generally class him among the "sycophantic favorites," with a negative assessment, though he also represents the most extreme form taken by the union of imperial power and Daoism under the Ming.

Contributions & Influence

• Succeeded Shao Yuanjie in directing Daoist affairs under the Jiajing reign for more than twenty years
• Dominated court Daoist activity in the late Jiajing period through rites of retreat and offering, blue-paper petitions (qingci), and alchemy
• Reached the summit of political standing attainable by a Ming Daoist priest by holding all three "Solitary Minister" ranks at once