Kou Qianzhi

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History & Society

Kou Qianzhi

Chinese Daoist

Also known as: K’ou Ch’ien-chih

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 20, 2024 • Article History

Category: History & Society

Wade-Giles:: K’ou Ch’ien-chih

Died:: 448 ce, China

Subjects Of Study:: Daoism

Role In:: Tianshidao

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Kou Qianzhi (died 448 ce, China) was a Daoist religious leader who organized many of the ceremonies and rites of the Tianshidao (“Way of the Celestial Masters”) movement and reformulated its theology. His influence was such that he had Daoism established as the official state religion of the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534/535); this act, however, embroiled Daoism in long and often bloody factional political struggles. Kou apparently began his career as a Daoist physician and hygienist. But in 415 he had a vision: a spirit appeared before him and told him that since the death of Zhang Ling (34?–156), the ...(100 of 288 words)

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