《吳尊師傳》

Biography of Master Wu in Modern Interpretation

Wu Jun, styled Zhenjie, was a Confucian scholar from Shandong. In his youth, he mastered Confucian classics and excelled in literary composition. After failing the imperial examinations, unwilling to compromise his integrity by conforming to worldly norms, he retreated to Mount Song (a sacred Daoist mountain) and became a disciple of Pan Shizheng (known by his Daoist name "Master Tixuan"), formally entering the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) tradition of Daoism. Through diligent study, he thoroughly grasped the essence of Daoist practice.

During the Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Wu traveled south to Jinling (modern Nanjing) to seek the Dao, spent years cultivating at Mount Mao (another sacred Daoist site), and later journeyed east to Mount Tiantai in Zhejiang. A gifted writer, he frequently hosted poetry gatherings with Jiangnan literati in Shan County (present-day Shengzhou, Zhejiang), where his verses circulated as far as the capital Chang'an. When Emperor Xuanzong heard of his reputation, he summoned Wu to court. Pleased with their conversation, the emperor appointed him as a Hanlin Academician awaiting imperial orders.

When questioned about the essence of Daoist teachings, Wu replied, "The profoundest Daoist wisdom lies entirely within the five thousand characters of the Daode Jing (Classic of the Way and Virtue). All other elaborate commentaries are but wasted ink." Asked about immortality practices and alchemy (neidan), he responded, "These are pursuits for recluses requiring lifelong dedication—not fitting pursuits for an emperor." At court assemblies, he consistently wore Daoist robes (the dark yellow attire symbolizing his vocation) among the officials, yet his memorials always addressed Confucian statecraft and ethical governance, sometimes conveying advice through allegorical poetry. Emperor Xuanzong held him in high esteem.

During the Tianbao era, as the corrupt ministers Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong monopolized power, Wu foresaw the coming turmoil. Repeated requests to return to Mount Song were denied until the court permitted him to establish a separate hermitage there. Before An Lushan's rebellion erupted, he gained approval to retreat to Mount Mao. After chaos engulfed the Central Plains, he wandered between Kuaiji (Shaoxing), Tiantai, and Shan County, often exchanging poems with Li Bai and Kong Chaofu, roaming freely through mountains and rivers with many disciples in tow until his passing in the Yue region.

His literary corpus spans twenty volumes, with Profound Principles (three essays) and On the Attainability of Immortality particularly revered by scholars. His writings blended rigorous philosophy with lyrical brilliance—each new work sparked fervent copying. Contemporaries remarked: "Even Li Bai's untrammeled genius and Du Fu's majestic gravity combined could scarcely match Wu Jun's dual mastery."

(This account was compiled by Quan Deyu, Tang Dynasty Minister of Rites.)

[Supplementary Notes]

1. Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity): An early Daoist school emphasizing fulu (talismans and registers), forming one of Daoism's two major systems alongside Quanzhen (Complete Perfection).

2. Hanlin Academician: A Tang-era scholarly post responsible for drafting edicts and composing occasional poetry.

3. Confucian Ethical Teachings: The Confucian framework prioritizing rectification of names (zhengming) and social hierarchies.