Wu Chengzhen | |
---|---|
吳誠真 | |
![]() Wu in 2023 | |
Born | Wu Yuanzhen January 14, 1957 |
Nationality | Chinese |
Occupation | Taoist abbess |
Years active | 1984–present |
Known for | First ordained female abbess in Taoist history |
Wu Chengzhen ( Chinese: 吳誠真; born 14 January 1957) is the first woman to be ordained as a fangzhang (abbess) in the history of Taoism.
Wu Yuanzhen ( Chinese: 吳元真) was born on 14 January 1957, in Xinzhou District, Wuhan, Hubei province, China as the youngest daughter of a family of six brothers and sisters. As a child, Wu read books belonging to her relatives about Buddhism, Christianity and Taoism. [1] Before the Cultural Revolution, she was able to finish high school and began working as an accountant, but no options for formal higher education were open to her. [2] Wu began self-study, reading texts on philosophy, theology and enlightenment [1] and at the age of 23 she followed an older sister's lead, making a commitment to Taoism, and changed her name to Wu Chengzhen. [2]
Wu began work as a cook and gardener at the Changchun Taoist Temple of Wuhan. [2] She studied with Xie Zhongxin, the 22nd fangzhang of Baiyun Temple in Beijing and after four years, in March 1984 she became a monk. [1] [3] The Changchun Temple, built during the Yuan dynasty, is one of the most important in China. [4] In 1995, Wu was appointed the temple's zhuchi (lower-ranking abbess), [2] and was selected as vice president of the Taoist Association of Wuhan. [4] One of her main duties is fundraising. Taoist clergy depend on public donations for their public works projects. Wu reportedly has around 10,000 followers who annually donate at least 2 million yuan (US$292,920), [5] used to care for the poor and children who have dropped out of school, widows, as well as for construction projects for bridges, roads, [3] schools, and disaster relief. [2]
In 2001, [2] Wu completed a master's degree in philosophy at Huazhong University of Science and Technology She became president of both the Hubei province and Wuhan Taoist Associations in 2007. [1] In 2009, Wu began studying for her doctorate degree at Renmin University of China with a thesis topic which evaluates the function of Taoism in creating a harmonious society. [2] In 2009, she was unanimously elected by all of the leaders in all the Changchun Temple's departments to serve as their principal abbess. [2] Her ordination was held on 15 November, 2009. [1] [3] [5] In 2014, Wu traveled to the United States and helped found the U.S. Taoist Association. [6]
Wu Chengzhen | |
---|---|
吳誠真 | |
![]() Wu in 2023 | |
Born | Wu Yuanzhen January 14, 1957 |
Nationality | Chinese |
Occupation | Taoist abbess |
Years active | 1984–present |
Known for | First ordained female abbess in Taoist history |
Wu Chengzhen ( Chinese: 吳誠真; born 14 January 1957) is the first woman to be ordained as a fangzhang (abbess) in the history of Taoism.
Wu Yuanzhen ( Chinese: 吳元真) was born on 14 January 1957, in Xinzhou District, Wuhan, Hubei province, China as the youngest daughter of a family of six brothers and sisters. As a child, Wu read books belonging to her relatives about Buddhism, Christianity and Taoism. [1] Before the Cultural Revolution, she was able to finish high school and began working as an accountant, but no options for formal higher education were open to her. [2] Wu began self-study, reading texts on philosophy, theology and enlightenment [1] and at the age of 23 she followed an older sister's lead, making a commitment to Taoism, and changed her name to Wu Chengzhen. [2]
Wu began work as a cook and gardener at the Changchun Taoist Temple of Wuhan. [2] She studied with Xie Zhongxin, the 22nd fangzhang of Baiyun Temple in Beijing and after four years, in March 1984 she became a monk. [1] [3] The Changchun Temple, built during the Yuan dynasty, is one of the most important in China. [4] In 1995, Wu was appointed the temple's zhuchi (lower-ranking abbess), [2] and was selected as vice president of the Taoist Association of Wuhan. [4] One of her main duties is fundraising. Taoist clergy depend on public donations for their public works projects. Wu reportedly has around 10,000 followers who annually donate at least 2 million yuan (US$292,920), [5] used to care for the poor and children who have dropped out of school, widows, as well as for construction projects for bridges, roads, [3] schools, and disaster relief. [2]
In 2001, [2] Wu completed a master's degree in philosophy at Huazhong University of Science and Technology She became president of both the Hubei province and Wuhan Taoist Associations in 2007. [1] In 2009, Wu began studying for her doctorate degree at Renmin University of China with a thesis topic which evaluates the function of Taoism in creating a harmonious society. [2] In 2009, she was unanimously elected by all of the leaders in all the Changchun Temple's departments to serve as their principal abbess. [2] Her ordination was held on 15 November, 2009. [1] [3] [5] In 2014, Wu traveled to the United States and helped found the U.S. Taoist Association. [6]