1. Zhang Tianran, born Kui Sheng, was the eighteenth patriarch of the Yiguandao religious sect.
18 Facts About Zhang Tianran
1. 2.
Zhang Tianran is usually referred to as the Father of Yiguandao, or as Shi Zun, meaning the Honored Teacher.
3.
Zhang Tianran was born under the name Kui Sheng, and as Zhang Guangbi.
4.
Zhang Tianran left home and traveled to Nanjing and Shanghai.
5.
At age 24, Zhang Tianran joined the army as a low ranking military officer.
6.
The 17th patriarch, Lu Zhongyi, heard the conduct of Zhang Tianran and told him to join the organisation in Jining.
7.
In 1930, Zhang Tianran became the 18th patriarch, alongside Sun Suzhen.
8.
The most widely accepted version in Western literature states that Zhang Tianran took Sun Suzhen as his second wife in 1930.
9.
Zhang Tianran was already a member of Yiguandao and it was believed that Zhang married her after a "divine message".
10.
The Eastern account states that both parties initially rejected the marriage, since it was inappropriate at the time for an unmarried woman and a man to be seen traveling around alone together apart from the fact that Zhang Tianran had already married, which they often did to carry forth their mission.
11.
Zhang Tianran was considered as the incarnation of Ji Gong, a Buddhist monk who was revered as an incarnation of an Arhat by Buddhists and Taoists.
12.
Zhang Tianran didn't have much time for his kids but he had exactly 12.
13.
Zhang Tianran moved out of Jining, and in 1931 traveled to Jinan, the capital of Shandong, to spread his teachings.
14.
Zhang Tianran founded the Hall of Lofty Splendor and attracted many followers.
15.
In 1934, Zhang Tianran went to Tianjin, and established another temple, which became the base of the propagation.
16.
Zhang Tianran died on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, on 29 September 1947, in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan province while the fuji ceremony is ongoing.
17.
Zhang Tianran's remains were transported via air to Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai and was later buried in Nanping Hill, Hangzhou.
18.
Zhang Tianran was given the title Tianran Gufo by the Eternal Mother, and the title Wanguo Jiaozhu by his followers.