The Legend of Bao Sheng Da Di
Yao shi
Bao Sheng Da Di [保生大帝] aka Wu Zhen Ren [吳真人], Wu Zhen Jun [吳真君], Da Dao Gong [大道公], En Zhu Gong [恩主公],Zhen Ren Shen Shi [真人仙師], Hua Jiao Gong [花轎公], Ying Hui Huo Wu Gong Zhen Shen.
Bao Sheng Da Di was born on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month, in 979AD, in the village of Quan Zhou, Fujian. His name was Wu Ben Hua, a descendant of Zhou dynasty Emperor Tai Bo. After the fall of the Zhou dynasty, all the loyal family was scattered all over in exile. To avoid being traced, they changed their family name to Wu. For several generations, the family members seek refuges in Buddhism, thus able to survive for nine generations. Wu Ben’s father name was Wu Tong and his mother name was Huang Shi.
Bao Sheng’s fore parents all did many good deeds and is kind and helpful folks. Bao Sheng’s mother Huang Shi is known to be the descendant of Yu Hua Da Shen [玉華大仙]. She was reputed to be very charming, elegant and virtuous. One night, she dreamt of Zi Wei Xing (紫微星) being reincarnated. When she woke up, she discovered that she was pregnant!
In the 4th years of the Song dynasty, when Madam Huang Shi was about to give birth, in a semi-conscious stage, she saw the image of Tai Bai Jin Xing [太白金星], Nan Ling Shi Zhe [南陵使者] and Bei Dou Xing Jun [北斗星君], bringing and protecting a heavenly baby to her and said: “This is the reincarnation of the previous Zi Wei Xing!’ That day was the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month. Wu Ben was born. The whole house was filled with a special fragrant incense sweet smell.
Five heavenly Sages and the three Kui Xings [魁星] (gods of literatures) manifested and came forward to offer their congratulations. Outside, in the sky, five stars twinkles brightly, the whole sky turned purplish in color. All the villagers were aware that this is an auspicious happenings.
Wu Ben was very intelligent and shows special Taoist magic skill since young. He won’t eat meat. Never think of marrying. He has a special character unlike common people. When he reaches manhood, he studies widely. Have a super memory. And was well versed in all form of metaphysics and medicines as well. He was able to point out the various errors of previous masters/Grand teachers. He was greatly interested in the medical field and was far far advanced of his time in the medical research and knowledge. His sole focus was to help people and save the world.
At age 17, he travels far and wide, helping and curing people from all sort of sickness. One day, he meet Xi Wang Mu [西王母]. Xi Wang Mu was very pleased to met him and said to him: “You are acquainted with me in your previous life, now we meet again. I will pass on to you the magic of ridding devils and demons, in order to help you save the people and the world. Wu Ben then stayed in the mountain of Kunlun Shan for seven days, practicing and perfecting the new skills. When Wu Ben seek Xi Wang Mu permission to leave for home. Xi Wang Mu agreed and advised him to keep a record of all his learning and skills and not to forgets his duty to help and save people.
Once, an epidemic hit the village of Zhang Zhou [漳州]. Many villagers were suffering and dieing. Wu Ben quickly travels to Zhang Zhou. Wu Ben immediately set to administer cures and ridded the evil spirits that was causing the trouble.
Since young, Wu Ben cultivated a high level of discipline. He spent a lot of time collecting herbs and making pills, traveling to all corners of the world, promoting Taoism as well as curing all the sufferings. His medical knowledge had reached a miracle level (far beyond his era). A lot of medical experts seek his advices as well as learn from him. Wu Ben was soon recognized as a living medical deity. His exploits abounds.
Once, the Song Emperor’s mother was suffering from a strange illness. All the Imperial courts medics weren’t able to diagnoses this strange illness. Finally, the seek Wu Ben’s help. With only one application of herbs, the Emperor’s mother was soon cured. The Emperor was very pleased and wanted to detain Wu Ben as an Imperial medical officer. Wu Ben said to the Emperor: “I’m still learning and cultivating. My purposed here (in this life) is to help and cure people. I do not wish to enjoy such luxurious lifestyle in the Imperial Court”. After leaving the palace, Wu Ben continues on what he set out to do (i.e. to save people from suffering and offering cures to all sort of illness and diseases). All his doings and credits were reported to the Emperor. The Emperor then conferred Wu Ben the title of “Ci Ji”[慈濟].
Wu Ben always respected all his relatives as well as his neighbors and all his acquainted. He was highly respected by all the villagers. He never asks for any monetary payment for his services. He is always honest and upright and a strict vegetarian. He never thought of marrying and settled down. At the age of 20, he enters a monastery and become a monk. Later, he offers his service to the Imperial court for a few years. For his afford, he requested that a temple be built in his hometown of Quan Zhou. This temple is now known as Eastern court [東宮] and on the right side, there’s a Kitchen God [灶神] status.
After he ‘retired’ from the Imperial Court services, he retreated into the mountain of Dayan Tong Shan, where he cultivated and study Tao.
He studied the Tao and magical mantras of Tai Shang Lao Cun. He mastered the magical skill known as Shang Wu Fei Bu Fa [三五飛步之法] and also discovered advanced herbal formulations that can cure thousand of different illness. He was indeed a medical god. His magical power were able to control spirit of the three realm (i.e heavenly, mortal and netherworld spirits).
In 1036AD, on the 2nd day of the 5th lunar month, while in deep meditation, he ascended to heaven, riding on a white crane. Many deities and the spirits of his departed parents and departed siblings came to accompany him on his ascend and all the villagers who saw this happening quickly lighted joss sticks and kneed down to offer their last respects.
After Bao Sheng Da Di departure, there were many story on his manifestation to save the people.
Episode 1:
One day, a group of bandits was creating chaos and troubles. The villagers live in fear and were frequently terrorized. All the villagers lighted joss sticks and prayed to Bao Sheng Da Di for help and protection. Soon, an Imperial troop arrived to ward of these bandits. A fierce battle began. Bao Sheng Da Di was giving a helping hand too. Soon, the bandit’s leaders were all caught by the Imperial troop. Without their leaders, the rest of the bandits soon dispersed without a trace. All the villagers knew this was the work of Bao Sheng Da Di and performed rituals to thanks Bao Sheng Da Di.
Episode 2:
Once, the hometown of Bao Sheng Da Di, a riverbank suddenly burst and the whole village was flooded. In the critical moment, many villagers prayed to Bao Sheng Da Di to save their life. Then they saw Bao Sheng Da Di in the sky, riding on a white crane, was using his magical power to control the water. Immediately, the flooding water retreated, thus saving the villages in time. A shrine was built to thanks Bao Sheng Da Di and rituals and performances was done to pray respect and gratitude to Bao Sheng Da Di.
Episode 3:
Before Song Gao Rong was the Emperor of the Song dynasty, once, he was chased by his enemy troops and was running for his life. When he arrived at the Cui Zi temple (崔子廟), he was very worried as he knows that he cannot escape without a horse. Suddenly, he heard the call of a horse and saw a it standing near the temple. Immediately, the jump onto the horse and headed south. At this moment, his enemy was fast approaching. When Gao Rong reached the riverbank, he turns back and saw a troop of celestial army was helping him fought against his enemy troops. He was thus able to cross the river to safety of his own territory (his kingdom). When he was crossing the river, the make a startling discovery. The horse he was riding was a mud horse! And it was Bao Sheng Da Di who was secretly assisting him to escape being capture. This is the legend known as “Ni Ma Tu Kang Wang” [泥馬渡康王].
Episode 4:
The Song dynasty flourished for 21 years. Emperor Song Gao Rong ordered his ministers to build a temple in Bao Sheng Da Di’s hometown. This temple is now very famous and is known as “Ci Ji Ling Gong” [慈濟靈宮]. Bao Sheng Da Di was also conferred the title of “Da Tao Zhen Ren”[大道真人]. Thus, Bao Sheng Da Di is also known as “Da Tao Gong” 「大道公」.
Episode 5:
Before the rise of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuan Zhang [朱元璋] was fighting a fierce battle with Chen You Liang [陳友諒]. Suddenly, there was a strong windstorm, engulfing Zhu Yuan Zhang and his troop, threatening to destroy everything in its path. At this moment, Wu Ben appeared in the sky (riding a cloud). Wu Ben carefully place magical flags all around Zhu Yuan Zhang and his troop, forming a protective shield. Soon the windstorm ceased. Wu Ben further commanded the celestial army to assist Zhu Yuan Zhang in defeating this enemy troop. After this, when Zhu Yuan Zhang was crowned as Emperor, on his fifth anniversary, he conferred Wu Ben the title of “ Wu Tian Yu Shi Yi Ling Zhen Cun” [吳天御史醫靈真君].
The Ming Emperor also instructed that all Bao Sheng Da Di’s statues be dressed in a Emperor’s dragon robe and conferred Wu Ben as “Wan Shou Wu Jiang Bao Sheng Da Di” [萬壽無疆保生大帝].
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