Malaysia / China: Carving of the Jade Pure One Yuanshi Tianzun, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Yuanshi Tianzun, also known as the 'Celestial Venerable of the Primordial Beginning' or as the 'Primeval Lord of Heaven', is one of the highest deities in religious Taoism. Designated as one of the Three Pure Ones, Yuanshi Tianzun resided in the Heaven of Jade Purity, and was said to have come into being at the beginning of the universe as a result of the merging of pure breaths. Afterwards, he created Heaven and Earth.

It is said in Taoist mythology that Yuanshi Yianzun was the first supreme administrator of Heaven, before eventually entrusting the task to his assistant, Yuhuang. Yuhuang then became the Jade Emperor, becoming overseer to Heaven and Earth. Sacrifices were offered to Yuanshi Tianzun, with ox shoulder blades being used to send questions or communicate with Yuanshi Tianzun, a practice known as scapulimancy.

In the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi', Yuanshi Tianzun is depicted as a 'superiorman' who was master of Mount Kunlun, with many disciples learning under him, one of them being the legendary sage Jiang Ziya. Yuanshi Tianzun would eventually send Jiang Ziya back down to earth, knowing that his disciple would be instrumental in the creation of a new dynasty in China, the Zhou Dynasty.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Anandajoti

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