Chen Yingning (1880 ~ 1969), the leader of modern Taoism in China, was the founder of Xianxue. Formerly known as Yuanshan and Zhixiang, later renamed Gan Ning, Zi Zixiu,No. Gan Ningzi, from Huaining, Anhui. Known as the "fairy tale giant", Taoist circles respectfully call him the "contemporary old gentleman".

The efforts of contemporary neo-Taoists, represented by Chen Yingning, to construct neo-Taoist theories, like the intellectuals in the history of China, are the embodiment of Taoism in the form of "anxiety consciousness of Confucian classics". In the modern history of the shortage of Taoist talents, Chen Yingning represents the great voice of the modern reconstruction of Taoist culture, and embodies the strong appeal of carrying forward the tradition, reviving Chinese culture and leading the world cultural trend. His position in China's ideological and cultural history is comparable to that of Feng Youlan of Neo-Confucianism and that of Neo-Buddhism. In modern history, Mr. Chen Yingning is an outstanding representative of the modern transformation of Taoist culture in the modern transformation of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, representing a cultural peak with three pillars.