Introduction of The Three Mao Shan Sect Ancestors (三茅祖師)

 

San Mao Zhen Jun (三茅真君) aka The Three Ancestors of Mao Shan Sect (茅山祖師), real name known as Mao Ying (茅盈), Mao Gu (茅固) and Mao Zhong (茅衷).

According to records, the 3 brothers should be born in Late Han Dynasty (漢朝末期) and Mao Ying, the 1st brother’s birthday was recorded as 3 Day of Lunar 10 Month (茅盈誕辰為農曆十月初三日), hometown in Shan Xi Province, Xian Yang Area (家鄉為陝西省咸陽).

Mao Ying started his cultivation at the age of 18, seeking master-ship under Master Xi Cheng Wang Jun (受教於西城王君), from then, he was being imparted with Spiritual Skills and Cultivation Skills.

One year after his long period of Cultivation (recorded as about 30 years), he got a chance to meet-up with Xi Wang Mu (西王母) aka Wang Mu Niang Niang (俗稱王母娘娘). During the meet-up, upon knowing that Mao Ying was a cultivated person, Xi Wang Mu imparted him a series of Spiritual Scriptures and Manuals.

After returning back to his cultivation place, Mao Ying requested to visit his parent in the hometown, and his Master accepted the request. After returning home, seeing his parent and siblings, Mao Ying got his enlightenment, at that time, he was only 48 years old (48歲時得道).

After Mao Ying got his enlightenment, his other 2 brothers, Mao Gu and Mao Zhong, resigned from their position from the Imperial Court and concentrated on doing self-cultivation (棄官從道).

After years of cultivation, Mao Gu and Mao Ying were able to meet a certain level of Immortality and their Elder Brother Mao Ying was there to assist them in getting their enlightenment.

Soon Mao Gu and Mao Zhong got their enlightenment and the 3 brothers were being summoned to the Celestial Palace for Title-bestowing (上天得封).

The 3 brothers were being bestowed with the Official Title of Jiu Tian Si Ming San Mao Ying Hua Zhen Jun (九天司命三茅應化真君) and Mao Ying was being given the title of Si Ming Dong Yu Shang Zhen Qing Tai Yuan Zhen Ren (司命東嶽上真卿太元真人), appointed to be one of the Deities of in-charging the Life & Death issues of the living beings (掌管生靈生死之職).

Till today, on every Spring Period (春季), devotees/followers of Mao Shan Sect will returned back to San Mao Shan to pay their respect to the 3 Ancestors.

From then, the followers addressed the venue that the 3 brothers got their enlightenment as San Mao Shan 三茅山 (Mountain of the 3 Mao Brothers), and the disciples were known as the Mao Shan Sect disciples and this was how Mao Shan Sect (茅山派) was being founded.

For High Res Pics, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/318349773/pic/list