Zhang Tianshi and the Feng Shui Treasure Land of Longhu Mountain

During the Eastern Han Dynasty（ approximately from 25 AD to 220 AD）, there was a famous Taoist priest named Zhang Daoling, also known as Zhang Tianshi (Heavenly Master Zhang). He was one of the founders of Taoism and was renowned for his exceptional magical abilities and profound understanding of Feng Shui. Zhang Tianshi was believed to have the power to control the flow of energy between heaven and earth, manipulating the forces of nature.

One day, Zhang Tianshi, while traveling across the country, arrived at the famous Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi province. The mountain range was majestic, with lush landscapes and winding rivers, presenting a picture-perfect scene. However, as he entered a nearby village, he noticed something unusual. Despite the favorable natural surroundings, the villagers appeared pale and sickly, and many were suffering from various illnesses. Moreover, the crops in the fields were not thriving; they were withering and failing to yield any harvest. The atmosphere in the village was heavy and oppressive, as if an invisible force was stifling the vitality of the land.

Discovering the Root of the Problem

Upon hearing that Zhang Tianshi had arrived, the villagers quickly gathered to seek his help. “Heavenly Master, our village is blessed with mountains and rivers, but why are we constantly ill, and why won’t our crops grow?” an elderly village leader asked with desperation.

Zhang Tianshi stroked his long beard and nodded. “Though the mountains and rivers are beautiful, the flow of energy here is blocked. Let me investigate to see if the Feng Shui has been disturbed.” With that, he took out an ancient Luopan compass, a tool used in Feng Shui, and began surveying the village. He carefully walked around the perimeter of the village, observing the alignment of the surrounding mountains and rivers and measuring the flow of wind. Soon, Zhang Tianshi realized that while the scenery was indeed picturesque, the arrangement of the mountains and rivers was blocking the flow of energy, or Qi, particularly in the southeast corner where a large boulder was obstructing a key energy pathway. This blockage was causing negative energy, or Yin Qi, to accumulate.

Choosing the Feng Shui Treasure Land

In order to help the villagers, Zhang Tianshi decided to use his knowledge of Feng Shui to adjust the energy flow of the land. He led the villagers to an area where three sides were surrounded by mountains, and the fourth side opened to a flowing river. Standing in this open space, Zhang Tianshi smiled and said, “This is a perfect spot where wind and water converge, a treasure land where the energies of heaven and earth meet, bringing life and prosperity.”

He further explained, “The mountains here represent the Dragon Veins in Feng Shui theory. The mountains are like the veins of a dragon, and the river is its bloodstream. Only when the Dragon Veins are clear and unobstructed can they bring vitality and good fortune.” Zhang Tianshi selected this location as the new core of the village and decided to set up a Feng Shui formation to restore the flow of energy.What is Qi?

Setting Up the Feng Shui Formation

Not only was Zhang Tianshi a master of Feng Shui, but he also wielded powerful Taoist magic. He decided to combine the two, using his Taoist rituals to enhance the energy flow. He instructed the villagers to gather some common Taoist materials, such as cinnabar, yellow paper, and peach wood branches. Zhang Tianshi personally crafted a series of Taoist talismans and hung them at various key points around the village. He particularly placed a powerful warding talisman on the large boulder in the southeast corner, where the negative energy had been accumulating, to drive away the stagnant Yin Qi.(The Yin-type Qi).

Then, Zhang Tianshi laid down a powerful formation known as the “Seven-Star Formation”, an ancient Taoist method used to gather positive energy from the heavens and earth. He carefully placed the talismans, folded from yellow paper, in the seven key positions according to the pattern of the Big Dipper. Additionally, he carved small banners from peach wood branches and placed them around the outskirts of the village, creating a protective barrier. “These banners will block any evil spirits and guide the positive Qi into your homes,” he explained to the villagers.

The Miracle Unfolds

After setting up the formation, Zhang Tianshi sat down in a meditative position, closed his eyes, and began to chant incantations while making intricate hand gestures. As he recited the Taoist spells, the talismans within the formation began to glow faintly, and it seemed as though the flow of energy started to shift in response to his command. Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept through the village from the distant mountains, and the once oppressive atmosphere was lifted. The stale air cleared, and the dark cloud that had lingered over the village was dispelled.

Zhang Tianshi stood up, satisfied with his work, and said to the villagers, “From today onwards, your village will no longer suffer from the blockage of negative energy. The Qi here is now flowing smoothly, and the balance of the Five Elements is restored. Heaven and earth are once again in harmony.”

Indeed, within a short time, the villagers began to recover from their illnesses, and their pale complexions gave way to healthier, more vibrant appearances. The crops, once withered and lifeless, began to grow strong and plentiful, filling the fields with green. The village, once plagued by misfortune, was now teeming with life, as if it had been blessed with a new source of vitality.

The Connection Between Feng Shui and Taoism

The story of Zhang Tianshi demonstrates not only the powerful connection between Taoism and Feng Shui but also how these two disciplines work together to influence the physical and spiritual well-being of people. Feng Shui is not merely about the physical arrangement of the environment; it is about the flow of Qi and harmony with nature, which is a fundamental concept in Taoist philosophy.

Zhang Tianshi’s actions showed how Feng Shui could be used not just by observing the natural landscape but by combining it with Taoist rituals to enhance the flow of energy. His use of talismans and magical formations demonstrated the belief that positive Qi could be guided and negative forces driven away through Taoist techniques, ultimately restoring balance and prosperity to the village.