| Wu Chengzhen | |
|---|---|
| 吳誠真 | |
 Wu in 2023 | |
| Born | Wu Yuanzhen (1957-01-14) January 14, 1957 (age 68) Xinzhou District, Wuhan, Hubei, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Occupation | Taoist abbess |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | First principal female abbess in Taoist history |
Wu Chengzhen (Chinese: 吳誠真; born 14 January 1957) is the first woman to become a Fangzhang (principal abbess) in the history of Taoism, which occurred in 2009.
Early life
Wu Yuanzhen (Chinese: 吳元真) was born on 14 January 1957, in Xinzhou District, Wuhan, Hubei province, China as the youngest daughter of a family of six brothers and sisters. As a child, Wu read books belonging to her relatives about Buddhism, Christianity and Taoism. Before the Cultural Revolution, she was able to finish high school and began working as an accountant, but no options for formal higher education were open to her. Wu began self-study, reading texts on philosophy, theology and enlightenment and at the age of 23 she followed an older sister's lead, making a commitment to Taoism, and changed her name to Wu Chengzhen.
Career
Early career
Wu began work as a cook and gardener at the Changchun Taoist Temple of Wuhan. She studied with Xie Zhongxin, the 22nd fangzhang of Baiyun Temple in Beijing and after four years, in March 1984 she became a monk. The Changchun Temple, built during the Yuan dynasty, is one of the most important in China. In 1995, Wu was appointed the temple's zhuchi (lower-ranking abbess), and was selected as vice president of the Taoist Association of Wuhan. One of her main duties is fundraising. Taoist clergy depend on public donations for their public works projects. Wu reportedly has around 10,000 followers who annually donate at least 2 million yuan (US$292,920), used to care for the poor and children who have dropped out of school, widows, as well as for construction projects for bridges, roads, schools, and disaster relief.
Later career
In 2001, Wu completed a master's degree in philosophy at Huazhong University of Science and Technology She became president of both the Hubei province and Wuhan Taoist Associations in 2007. In 2009, Wu began studying for her doctorate degree at Renmin University of China with a thesis topic which evaluates the function of Taoism in creating a harmonious society. In 2009, she was unanimously elected by all of the leaders in all the Changchun Temple's departments to serve as their principal abbess. She became such on 15 November, 2009. In 2014, Wu traveled to the United States and helped found the U.S. Taoist Association.
References
- "First female Taoist Fangzhang enthroned". Chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
- ^ "首位道教女方丈：走在修炼的路上 至真至诚吴诚真". China Daily (in Chinese). Beijing, China. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ Nilsson, Erik; Rui, Guo. "First woman leader of Taoist clerical orthodoxy". China Daily. Beijing, China. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "First Chinese principal Taoist abbess". Beijing, China: People's Daily. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "中国道教首位女方丈诞生 千余信众欢聚相庆(图)" (in Chinese). Wuhan, China: Sohu. 15 November 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ Keen, Zhang; Wu, Jin (17 November 2009). "Daoists appoint first ever female abbot". Beijing, China: China Organization. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- Ash, Lorraine (17 November 2014). "East Hanover hosts rare Taoist ceremonies". East Hanover, New Jersey: Daily Record. Retrieved 6 December 2015.