Kou Qianzhi

Kou Qianzhi (365–448) was a Taoist reformer who reenvisioned many of the ceremonies and rites of the Way of the Celestial Master form of Taoism and reformulated its theology into a new movement known as The Northern Celestial Masters. His influence was such that he had Taoism established as the official state religion of the Northern Wei dynasty (386–535); this act, however, embroiled Taoism in long and often bloody factional political struggles. There is a tradition that Kou Qianzhi once sought seclusion on Mount Hua the better to practice his Taoist meditations.