Brief Introduction on Wang Chang & Zhao Sheng (祖天師門徒-王長與趙昇簡介)

In Zheng Yi Sect History, Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling had got 2 Official Disciples, which were known as Wang Chang & Zhao Sheng (王長與趙昇).

During the period of travelling arou...nd to promote Taoism, Heavenly Master Zhang had accepted Wang Chang as his Disciple, upon the acceptance, Wang Chang had put in his very best effort in learning all the teachings that Heavenly Master Zhang had imparted to him, especially the skill of making Elixir and Medication for the ceasing of diseases/illnesses (王長習得祖天師所授之法﹐能煉丹製藥﹐拯救難民).

When Heavenly Master Zhang settled down in Mt Long Hu (龍虎山, before that was known as Yun Jin Shan 雲錦山), Wang Chang was there to assist in locating the best Cultivation spot and without disappointment, they found the best spot, which is where Zheng Yi Guan (正一觀) located now.

While they stationed at Mt Long Hu, Wang Chang had also assisted Heavenly Master in subduing Demons & also salvaged quite a number of suffering folks (因王長之恆心習道﹐在祖天師授教之下﹐王長不但能煉製丹藥﹐也無時不協助祖天師降魔收妖).

At the age of 100, Heavenly Master decided to shift on to another location to promote Taoism and so, Wang Chang had accompanied him to Mt Qing Cheng (青城山).

Upon arriving at Mt Qing Cheng, Heavenly Master accepted Zhao Sheng as his last few Disciples (at that time, Heavenly Master had already accepted 3000 students). Reason for Heavenly Master to accept Zhao Sheng, was due to that, Zhao Sheng had appeared in his dreams and also prediction, before they arrived in Mt Qing Cheng (入青城之後﹐祖天師納趙昇為徒).

With 20 over years of learning under Heavenly Master and the guidance of Wang Chang, Zhao Sheng had mastered a lot of skills (在祖天師的授教下﹐於二十余年間﹐趙昇得到祖天師不少真傳).

During these 20 over years, Heavenly Master had also tested Zhao Sheng 7 times, in-order to see whether Zhao Sheng had determination & faith in promoting the Upright Culture of Taoism. Without fail, Zhao Sheng passed all the testings (祖天師也與二十余年之間﹐七次試探趙昇﹐次次皆得祖天師讚賞).

In AD 156, 9th Day of Lunar 9 Month of 2nd Year of Yuan Shou Period, under the Leadership of Emperor Han Huan (漢桓帝永壽二年農曆九月初九日), Heavenly Master gathered all his Disciples & Family Members to the highest peak of Mt Yun Tai (祖天師召集所有弟子及家眷來到蜀中雲台山之顛) .

Upon arrival, Heavenly Master observed on every individual member and finally, he asked who is willingly to jump-off the Peak with him to pluck the Immortal Peaches at the Cliff-wall below? (至雲台山之顛後﹐祖天師問眾人﹐是否有人願越崖而下取桃)

After Heavenly Master had announced that to the people, no one dared to reply. Knowing that almost all people here wouldn’t be able to follow his instruction, Heavenly Master had to jump-off the Peak himself (問及多時﹐並無人回答。祖天師點頭﹐心有其數﹐便不多言而自身越崖而下).

With a shock, all the people dashed towards the border of the Peak, but no one dared to jump-off to “rescue” Heavenly Master, at this moment, Wang Chang gave Zhao Sheng a glance and Zhao Sheng returned with a nod, both of them jump-off the Peak (當眾人驚愕失措時﹐王長向趙昇使眼神﹐兩人不約而同往崖一越﹐便隨祖天師消失於雲台山之中).

Soon after Wang Chang & Zhao Sheng jump-off, people on the Peak saw that the Three of them were being carried by Immortal Cranes and disappeared into the Clouds. From then onwards, Heavenly Master Zhang, Wang Chang & Zhao Sheng got their Immortality (此事眾人之中﹐有人隱約看見有仙鶴將三人接往天際﹐當眾人抬頭望時﹐三人已消失在雲際了。這便是祖天師白日昇天之說﹐時壽為一二三歲。).

As the Immortal Cranes flew thru the thick layers of Clouds, crossing the Milky-way, passing thru the Dipper Stars, they arrived at the Celestial Palace of where Dao De Tian Zun (道德天尊) aka Supreme Lord of Tai Shang (太上道祖) conducts his tasks (隨著仙鶴之駕引﹐三人來至太清仙境).

While the Three of them walked into the Palace, they were being ushered by the various High Authority Deities and Immortals (迎面而來者﹐皆是極品上仙﹐祖天師不慌不忙﹐帶著二徒﹐恭敬入殿).

Upon reaching the Hall where Dao De Tian Zun was, Heavenly Master Zhang and his Two Disciples kneel-down to pay their highest respect to him. With a short “speech” given by Dao De Tian Zun, Heavenly Master was being bestowed with his Official Title as Tai Xuan Shang Xian Xiang Mo Hu Dao Tian Zun (在道祖座前參禮之後﹐祖天師授封誥為泰玄上相降魔護道天尊), positioned as the Leader of the other Three Heavenly Masters (居四天師之首﹐統領道教).

And Wang Chang was bestowed with the Official Title of Shang Qing San Tian Du Hu Zuo Xuan Zhen Ren (王長封誥為上清三天都護左玄真人), appointed to station by Heavenly Master’s side to protect the Celestial Sword of Subduing Demons & Promoting Upright Taoism (居祖天師之左﹐持天師降魔劍﹐護道不讓).

And Zhao Sheng was bestowed with the Official Title of Shang Qing San Tian Du Hu You Xuan Zhen Ren (趙昇封誥為上清三天都護右玄真人), appointed to station by Heavenly Master’s side to protect the Celestial Seal of Summoning of Deities & Heavenly Marshals and to Uphold the Righteous of Taoism (居祖天師之右﹐捧天師都功之印﹐衛道不讓).

Today, in Tian Shi Fu, we are able to see the Statues of Wang Chang & Zhao Sheng, carved accordingly to the description of when, they got their Immortality (今日﹐在江西龍虎山天師府內﹐我們還可以看到﹐照當時王長及趙昇得道時所彫刻的聖像).