Xu Tian Shi (許天師) aka Heavenly Master Xu, real name known as Xu Xun (許遜), Xu Jing Yang (許旌陽) or Xu Jing Zhi (許敬之), Taoist Name known as Ling Jian Zi (靈劍子), born in Wu Chi Wu Second Year (CE239 吳赤烏二年), 28th Day of Lunar 1 Month (農曆正月二十八日). Hometown in Nan Chang, now known as Jiang Xi Province (家鄉於南昌今為江西).Since young, Xu Xun was an intelligent boy who was strongly connected with Spiritual Skills & stuffs.
At the age of 20 (弱冠之年), he seek Mastership under Wu Meng Zhen Ren (師承吳猛真人), from then, he started to do researches on Spiritual Skills, the Nature Changes, Prediction Skills, etc.
CE280, after certain obstacles Xu Xun encountered, he decided to stop his cultivation and went for the Imperial Examination. Due to his knowledge and wisdom, he passed the exam and was appointed as the Magistrate Officer of Jing Yang Area (旌陽縣 this was how the folks addressed him as Xu Jing Yang later part in the History), at that time, he was 42 years old.
During his serving of the Nation Service in Jing Yang Area, he was being highly respected by the commoners. And due to his Uprightness and Non-bias-attitude, after he left the Area, the commoners dedicated statues for him as a form of gratitude.
Soon, Jin Dynasty (晉朝) was in a chaotic status. Knowing that Jin Dynasty wouldn’t be able to last forever, Xu Xun resigned from his post and returned to his Master’s premises to regain his self-cultivation again.
After returning to his Master side, his Master brought him along to travel around the whole Country to do necessary salvation for the sufferings. During the travling, Xu Xun subdued a few demons and Deities, such as Tiger Demon, etc.
Besides doing salvations & subduing, Xu Xun was being imparted with a few Manuals with Spiritual Skills known as Tai Shang Ling Bao Jing Ming Fa (太上靈寶淨明法), which later Xu Xun used the title Jing Ming while he set-up his Sect - Jing Ming Sect (淨明道).
CE374, 25th Day of Lunar 10 Month (農曆十月廿五日), Xu Xun got his Enlightenment. At the moment of his Enlightenment, he was being summoned to the Celestial Palace (天庭) to meet up with Jade Emperor (玉皇大天尊). Due to his Uprightness and Faithfulness in continuing the Preaching of Taoism Teaching, he was being bestowed with the title Heavenly Master – Tian Shi (天師之職).
After he got the bestowed title, Xu Xun’s whole family, of about 120 members, were also being summoned to the Celestial Palace to gain a position in the Celestial Court System. In Chinese, there is a saying for Xu Xun’s family – Yi Ren De Dao, Quan Jia Sheng Tian (一人得道, 全家昇天). Meaning one person got Enlightenment, the whole family was also being granted to gain Immortality.
From then, he was being group with the other 3 Heavenly Masters to form the Four Heavenly Masters to assist the Three Realms (三界) in doing preaching for Dao.
In Taoism Culture or Chinese Deity System, Xu Xun was also being addressed as Gan Tian Da Di (感天大帝).
Till today, the Hock Chew (福州), Hock Cheng (福清) and Teochew (潮州) Clans still honoured Xu Xun as their Protector (守護神).
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