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Wang Jueyi (Chinese: 王覺一; 1821 – 1884), born Wang Ximeng (王希孟) was the founder of the Yiguandao "Unity Sect" of Taoism and claimed the 15th Taoist patriarchate (道統)

Early life

Wang Jueyi was born Wang Ximeng in 1821 in Qingzhou under the Qing dynasty. On account of his orphanhood in very young age, Wang was brought up in his uncle's family. He had studied Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. Subsequently, he entered the Xiantiandao sect under the training of Yao Hetian (姚鶴天).

Founding of Yiguandao

After training, Wang returned to Qingzhou and founded his own temple, named Dongzhen Hall (東震堂). In 1877, he claimed that Wusheng Laomu (無生老母 "The Unborn Mother") passed him the Mandate of Heaven, appointing him 15th patriarch of Taoism (with Zen Patriarch Bodhidharma as the first such patriarch).

The Xiantian Dao sect under Wang's leadership was significantly confucianized; practitioners needed to mainly follow the scripture of the Great Learning whereas Taoist practice such as asceticism and alchemy were abolished. The sect had been rapidly spread throughout the country until the Qing governmental crackdown against it in 1883. Many followers of Wang, including his son, were killed during this situation.

Later life and death

After the persecution, Wang Jueyi lived secretly until he died in 1884.

References

1. ^ "Unity Sect (Yiguan Dao)". Encyclopedia of Taiwan. 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
2. "一贯道". nciku Chinese English Dictionary. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
3. "Impact of the State on the Evolution of a Sect" (PDF). Baylor University. 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
4. "The Phoenix and the Mother: The Interaction of Spirit Writing Cults and Popular Sects in Taiwan" (PDF). Journal of Chinese Religions. 1997. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

• 1821 births
• 1884 deaths
• I-Kuan Tao Patriarchs
• Founders of new religious movements
• People from Weifang