Zhang Sanfeng, a well-known historical figure, is regarded as a deity by Taoism and often appears in the martial arts novels of literary masters such as Jin Yong. Because he lived in the Song, Jin and Yuan Dynasties, many people want to know how old he lived.

Some experts have quoted the record of Ji Fang in the 187th Ming Dynasty, saying that Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of Zongshan in Wu Tang Dynasty, was born on April 9 1247 and died in 1464 at the age of 2 18.

Zhang Sanfeng movie and television image

This is not rigorous. The following are all the records about Zhang Sanfeng in the early Ming Dynasty, which can be compared:

"Zhang Sanfeng, Liaodong Yizhou people, all one person, the Junbao, Sanfeng also. Because of its unkempt appearance, it also looks sloppy. He is tall and powerful, with a turtle-shaped crane back, big ears and round eyes. He must be as tall as a halberd. The weather is hot and cold, and the only thing that wilts is not eating for days or months. Don't forget what you have learned and where you are, otherwise the cloud will travel thousands of miles every day. Good at playing in harmony, no one is watching. After visiting the rocks and valleys of Wudang, people said, "This mountain will be prosperous in the future. "When Wulong, Nanyan and Zixiao were destroyed by soldiers, Sanfeng and his disciples went to Jingzhen to dig rubble and build a thatched cottage, but they all gave up. Mao Wen's name, Hongwu sent an envoy to find it in twenty-four years, not. Baoji Jintai scenery. One day, I said I deserved to die, left a eulogy and died. People in the county died in coffins. And buried, smell the sound of the coffin, and wake up. I went to Sichuan to see the king of Sichuan. Re-entering Wudang, with Korea, the traces are different. During the Yongle period, Cheng Zu sent Hu Yi, the minister in charge, to see Zhu Xiang and Zhu and spent several years in famine. He ordered assistant minister Guo and Longping Xin of the Ministry of Industry to be in charge of Wudang Palace with more than 300,000 people at a cost of one million. Set up, give the name Taihe Taiyue Mountain, set up an official seal to keep it, which is actually three words. In other words, it is said that in the early Yuan Dynasty, when people were rich, they studied Taoism with Liu Xuedao and then in Taiqing Palace, but none of them could be tested. After three years of success, Yingzong gave him a patent, which made him a real person and it was impossible to know his existence. "

It is clearly recorded in the History of Ming Dynasty that "a man is rich, but he can't be tested" and that "natural harmony can't be known for three years", that is to say, the history of Ming Dynasty can't determine his date of birth and death.

The Image of Zhang Sanfeng in Jin Yong's Novels

Therefore, Zhang Sanfeng's date of birth and death can only be inferred from folklore. As he is a very important figure in Taoism, we can only say that Zhang Sanfeng came from Jin Dynasty, experienced Jin, Yuan and Ming Dynasties and died in Ming Yingzong. That is to say, Zhang Sanfeng was born before the fall of the Jin Dynasty in 1234 and died before and after Ming Yingzong ascended the throne in 1427.

As for why several emperors in the early Ming Dynasty sent people to visit Zhang Sanfeng, the reason was that the Ming emperors wanted to use Taoism to help them stabilize the grassroots society. Quanzhen religion is closely related to yuanshi county, and the grass-roots society has great influence. Shi Ming originated in the south and attached importance to the social function of Taoism.

Zhang Sanfeng is regarded as a deity.

In the early Ming Dynasty, Quanzhen religion was the most influential and famous among the people in Zhang Sanfeng. Many legends of Zhang Sanfeng were circulated among the people, including practicing in Laoshan, gaining enlightenment in Nanshan, establishing Wudang Mountain, creating the unity of Dan and Wu, reviving "Yang Shen Travel" after the death of Baoji Jintai Temple, and preaching Shen Wansan. Even today, Fuquan Mountain in Fuquan City, Guizhou Province has Zhang Sanfeng's Dojo.

At the same time, we should also see that Taoism, as a local religion, has incomparable advantages in philosophy, health care and geomantic omen, and it is of positive significance to praise Taoism.

Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of Taoist inner alchemy and Taoist boxing, and a master of alchemy, advocated "self-seeking happiness, self-making by life". Zhang Sanfeng created the Tai Ji Chuan style of Taoism, and created at least 17 martial arts schools, including Wuwangshan Sloppy School, Sanfeng Natural School, Sanfeng Authentic Natural School, Rixin School, Penglai School, Tanta School, Yinxian School, Wudang Dan School and Youlong School.

Wudang jinding

The following excerpt is taken from Zhang Sanfeng's masterpiece Rootless Tree. Please read carefully, or it will inspire you and me today:

Rootless trees, flowers are quiet, who wants to rest after glory. Floating things, boats in distress, swaying from side to side is not free. There is no shore and boundless mooring system, and it often swims in the dangerous place of Xiaolong. If you are willing to turn back, it is the shore head. Don't wait for the storm to break the boat.