Zhang Daoling
Zhang Ling (simplified Chinese: 张陵; traditional Chinese: 張陵; pinyin: Zhāng Líng; Wade–Giles: Chang Ling; traditionally 34–156), courtesy name Fuhan (simplified Chinese: 辅汉; traditional Chinese: 輔漢), was a Chinese religious leader who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty credited with founding the Way of the Celestial Masters sect of Taoism, which is also known as the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice, and he is credited as being the founder of Taoism in legend.
Zhang Daoling | |
|---|---|
Zhang Daoling, as illustrated by Ren Xiong and engraved by Cai Zhaochu | |
| Born | 34 (traditionally) |
| Died | 156 (traditionally) (aged 121–122?) |
| Occupation | Religious leader |
| Known for | Founder of Way of the Five Pecks of Rice |
He is also known as Zhang Daoling (张道陵; 張道陵; Zhāng Dàolíng; Chang Tao-ling), Celestial Master Zhang (張天師, Zhāng tiānshī), Ancestral Celestial Master (祖天師, Zǔtiānshī) or Zhengyi Zhenren (正一真人) to Taoists. Zhang is sometimes pictured riding on a tiger. In some Taoist sects, Zhang, along with Ge Xuan, Xu Xun (许逊) and Sa Shoujian (萨守坚), are called the "Four Celestial Masters" (四大天師).