The inheritance of the Ma Yi Shen Xiang and the legendary story of the two authors

The inheritance of the Ma Yi Shen Xiang and the legendary story of the two authors

During the Song Dynasty, physiognomy was popular and people were obsessed with it. At this time, the Taoist monk Ma Yi and his apprentice Chen Chuan, who lived in seclusion in the mountains, undoubtedly played a huge role in promoting the development of physiognomy, and the legends about them have always been quite mythical.

The mystery of the author whose authenticity is difficult to verify

Is the Taoist in Ma Yi the author of "Ma Yi Shen Xiang"? According to relevant experts' research, "Ma Yi Shen Xiang" was probably written by later generations. Lu Fashong of the Qing Dynasty believed that later generations all used Ma Yi as their name. Ni Yue of the Qing Dynasty also said in "Complete Collection of Divine Physiognomy" that the books on physiognomy that have been passed down orally in modern times all follow the teachings of Ma Yi Dao. There is also a saying that the Taoist in Sackcloth Clothes wrote the magical poems "Golden Lock Poem" and "Key Poem", and there is also a record that: In the deep winter, the Taoist in Sackcloth Clothes was in a stone chamber on Mount Hua, holding a stove and teaching Xiyi (i.e. Chen Chuan). He did not use words to persuade him, but only used fire chopsticks to write in the ashes, and taught Xiyi silently. The "Correct I Ching Heart Method of the Taoist in Ma Yi" states that Chen Chuan was the one who received the news. From this point of view, "Ma Yi Shen Xiang" is very likely to be passed down silently by the Taoist Ma Yi to Chen Chuan, and then sorted and explained by Chen Chuan, and then continuously expanded by later generations.

The Taoist in Sackcloth and Chen Tuan

According to legend, the Taoist monk in hemp clothes once lived in seclusion in a stone chamber on Mount Huashan with his disciple Chen Chuan. "Sackcloth" was his nickname, but his real name was unknown. There are very few historical records about the life and deeds of the Taoist in Sackcloth Clothes, only some sporadic materials. According to the record in Volume 7 of Shao Bowen's Records of Shao's Hearings and Sights in the Song Dynasty:

Qian Ruoshui, who was born with an appearance of an immortal, decided not to become a scholar, and hoped that Chen Chuan, who lived in seclusion in the mountains, would accept him as a disciple. However, Chen Chuan was not in a position to make the decision as his master the Taoist master in hemp clothes was present, so he asked Qian Ruoshui to come again tomorrow. When the Taoist in hemp clothes carefully observed Qian Ruoshui's expression, he said nothing and only wrote three words on the ground - Can't do it. He probably felt that Qian Ruoshui was still connected to the world, so how could he live in seclusion in the mountains and practice alchemy? As Mai Yi said, Qian Ruoshui returned to the secular world and became a successful official.

Shao Bowen lived during the reign of Emperor Zhezong of Song Dynasty, so his words are quite credible. An examination of the physiognomy books before the Northern Song Dynasty, especially the works closer to the Song Dynasty, such as Taiqing Shenjian by Wang Pu of the Later Zhou Dynasty, shows no mention of the Taoist in Ma Yi. However, most of the later physiognomy books claim that Chen Chuan (Xi Yi) was a student of Ma Yi. From this, it can be inferred that the Taoist in Ma Yi was probably a person from the late Five Dynasties and early Northern Song Dynasty.

Judging from Chen Chuanshan's knowledge of qigong, fasting, and the Huangbai technique, his master is undoubtedly also an expert in this field. As a Taoist priest, his level of research is unparalleled. According to Shao Bowen's "Shao's Records of What Heard and Saw" Volume 17:

Li Shouzheng, the governor of Henan, rebelled against Zhou, and Emperor Gaozu was appointed as the Privy Councilor to suppress him. A Taoist monk in hemp clothes said to Zhao Pu: "There are three heavenly auras under the city, how can we defend it for long?" ' Soon the city fell. Before this, Shouzhengzi's wife was the daughter of Fu Yanqing. A fortune teller said she was indescribably noble. Shouzheng said, "With a wife like this, I know it." 'The intention to rebel is determined. When the city was breached, the whole family burned themselves to death. Fu Shi sat in the hall without moving. When the soldiers entered, he scolded her, "My father and Mr. Guo are old friends. You should not be so rude to them." ' Or he ordered Chai Shizong to marry her, and she later became the empress. The 'three heavenly princes' refer to the fact that Emperor Gaozu of Zhou, Emperor Shizong of Chai, and Emperor Gaozu of our dynasty were all in the army. Is the Taoist wearing hemp clothes an extraordinary person?

This legend is quite legendary. It is probably because the Taoist in hemp clothes read the fortunes of Emperor Gaozu of Zhou Guo Wei, Emperor Shizong of Zhou Chai Rong, and Emperor Taizu of Song Zhao Kuangyin that he came to the conclusion that they were extraordinary people. Unfortunately, there are very few historical records about the Taoist Ma Yi’s fortune-telling skills, so it is difficult for us to witness his magical skills again. However, we are fortunate enough to learn about Guan Gan’s level of physiognomy from “Ma Yi Shen Xiang”.

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