Perfected Master Qiu of Eternal Spring

Qiu Chuji – The Perfected Master of Eternal Spring

(Image: Source unknown)

The 19th day of the first Chinese lunar month is the birthday of Perfected Master Qiu of Eternal Spring (長春邱真人 Changchun Qiu Zhenren). His title is also abbreviated as just Perfected Master of Eternal Spring (長春真人 Changchun Zhenren) and his name is Qiu Chuji (邱處機), also known as Qiu Changchun (邱長春).

He was born during the Jin dynasty in 12th century China. At 19 years of age, he decided to leave home to practice Taoist cultivation. He went to seek discipleship under the eminent master Wang Chongyang (王重陽), one of the northern patriarchs of the Complete Reality (全眞 Quanzhen) school of Taoism, and became one of his seven famous disciples who are collectively known as the Seven Perfected Ancestral Masters (七真祖師 Qizhen Zushi). Qiu later founded his own school which is known as the Dragon Gate (龍門 Longmen) school, a Taoist sect that also incorporates teachings from Buddhism and Confucianism.

Qiu Chuji – The Perfected Master of Eternal Spring

(Image: Source unknown)

In 1220, Master Qiu traveled from China to Afghanistan in Central Asia to meet Genghis Khan upon his invitation. The journey was recorded by one of his accompanying disciples who later published Record of Travels to the West of Perfected Master Eternal Spring (長春真人西遊記 Changchun Zhenren Xiyouji). The work details the three year journey and records the advice given by Master Qiu to Genghis Khan. He is credited with helping preserve Chinese civilization and saving many lives during the Mongol invasion through his advice to Genghis Khan to practice non-harm and to rule only with virtue. He was later appointed by Genghis Khan as administrator of all the Taoist religious institutions in China. 

Master Qiu spent the last years of his life at the site of today’s White Cloud Temple (白雲觀 Baiyun Guan) in Beijing which served as the administrative seat of the Complete Reality school in the past, and is today the headquarters of the China Taoist Association (中國道教協會 Zhongguo Daojiao Xiehui).

Text © 2011 Harry Leong