Chengdu Chongxuan Academy is located in the northern part of the city on Phoenix Mountain. The mountain's shape resembles a phoenix, hence its name. In ancient times, Phoenix Mountain was also known as Xueshe Mountain and Shihu Mountain. The Song dynasty scholar Huang Xiufu recorded in Maoting carving that Zhang Bozi attained the Dao and ascended to the heavens on the third day of the third lunar month. Today, on the mountain standsthe Zhizhen (至真) Temple, which is said to be the site of this event. Every year on this date,scholars and commoners from across the city, as well as residents of the surrounding counties, gather at the temple to pray for good harvests and prosperity in silkworm farming.

The concept of "Ultimate Truth" (Zhizhen 至真) has its origins in Laozi’s Dao De Jing (True Classic of the Way and Virtue) which states: “When cultivated within oneself, virtue becomes true.” The Tong Xuan Jing (True Classic of Penetrating Mystery) by Wenzi says: “Embrace naturalness and preserve the ultimate truth.”

To enter the realm of the Ultimate Truth, one must study the Way of Chongxuan (重玄, "Double Mystery").

Without understanding Chongxuan, one cannot reach the Ultimate Truth; without experiencing the Ultimate Truth, one cannot comprehend the profound mystery.

Chongxuan is "mystery upon mystery," a process of continual transcendence;the Ultimate Truth is "return upon return," an ever-deepening wonder. To "transcend" (遣) means to abandon delusions, break attachments, and cleanse the mind of impuritiesto attain clarity and serenity. To "return" (返) means to restore one’s original nature, return to primordial chaos, and harmonize with all things in unity. If the Ultimate Truth can be called a wondrous state, then the Way of Chongxuan can be regarded as the key to entering it.

History of Phoenix Mountain and the Double Mystery AcademyThe mountain flourishes because it is established upon the principle of the Ultimate Truth, and the temple endures because it upholds the teachings of Chongxuan (the Double Mystery).

During the transition between the Western and Eastern Han dynasties, there was a man named Yan Zun, his literary name Junping, who practiced divination in a mountain valley. He diligently studied the Yijing (Book of Changes), thoroughly comprehended the great principles of Dao and Virtue, and helped people resolve their worries and difficulties.His disciple, Yang Xiong, explored the profound mysteries of heaven and earth and authored the Tai Xuan Jing (Classic of the Supreme Mystery). From that time onward, the teachings of Daoist metaphysicsspread widely throughout the Shu region.

In the second year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui dynasty (582 CE), Zhizhen Temple was established. Its abbot, a Daoist master of the Three Caverns tradition, named Li Yuanxing. Du Guangting, in his Expanded Sacred Meaning of the Dao De Jing, praised him for his deep understanding of the Way of Chongxuan. Later, there was Wang Xuanlan, who studied Daoist precepts at Zhizhen Temple in the early Tang dynasty. He eventually became the temple’s abbot and wrote the Xuan Zhu Lu (Record of the Mysterious Pearl) to further develop the study of Chongxuan. During this period, seekers of wisdom came from all directionsin an unending stream, making it a golden age of learning and transmission.

The phoenix soars, its wings fluttering in splendor. Though the rivers and mountainsremain, the world has undergone great changes. In modern times, as turbulent cloudssurged and storms eroded the past, the structures of Zhizhen Temple suffered severe destruction, and the teachings of Chongxuan (the Double Mystery) nearly vanished. Yet, Heaven does not abandon the Dao—there will always be those of wisdom who rise to shoulder great responsibility.

In the year of Dinghai (2008), a man named Li Hechun journeyed across a thousand miles, traversing many paths, to reach Phoenix Mountain in Chengdu, where he cultivated the Dao. By the year of Gengyin (2010), fellow Daoists unanimously appointed Li Hechun as the abbot of Zhizhen Temple.

The name Hechun signifies harmony with the righteous energy of the Three Springs. With a nature pure and untainted, he humbly practiced and expounded the Dao, embodying an elegance that was balanced and harmonious, a brilliance that was both noble and profound. Thus, he was able to revitalize the land, affairs, and people around him. Upon assuming the role of abbot, he vowed to restore the spirit and traditions of Zhizhen Temple. Through years of dedicated effort, the temple was rejuvenated, standing once more in renewed splendor.

At the beginning of the year Wuxu (2019), Daoist Master Hechun further planned the grand revival of Chongxuan studies. One day, I led several disciplesto Phoenix Mountain for an inspection. During our visit, Master Hechun spoke of establishing an academy, and I suggested naming it "Chongxuan." Our thoughts were in perfect harmony, and our visions aligned.

Thus, Master Hechun and I invited Mr. Li Yuanguo, a researcher at the Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, and Mr. Huang Haide, a professor at Huaqiao University, to join as co-founders. We applied for registration, which was successfully approved.

The various levels of the Chengdu municipal government regarded the promotion of traditional Chinese culture as a significant endeavor for national revival and therefore provided strong support. The ASEAN Academy of Arts also offered its assistance.

To facilitate the establishment of the academy, the Jinniu District of Chengdu generously designated the historic Jinquan Temple as the foundation for its construction. Old friends were invited, funds were gathered, collective wisdom was pooled, and skilled artisans were engaged for renovations. After years of dedicated effort, the academy was transformed into a place of brilliance. Inside, the Liushi Lecture Hall and Bidong Academy were established to ensure the orderly transmission of knowledge and tradition.

On the third day of the eleventh lunar month in the year of Guimao (December 2023), Chongxuan Academy held a grand inauguration ceremony, and Bidong Academy also officially began its classes on the same day. I delivered a lecture titled Dao De Jing and a Healthy Life, while Professor Huang Haide gave a lecture on Zhuangzi.

The talks continued, and the audience gathered in great numbers, making for an auspicious and successful beginning. A week later, on the Winter Solstice of Guimao year, I compiled these records to complete this Chronicle of Chongxuan Academy. Though it was the depths of winter, with cold waves pressing in, the pure Yang energy was already stirring beneath the earth. When spring arrives, the phoenix flowers will bloom, birds will sing in chorus, and beauty will abound.

The academy seeks to cultivate people through culture, bringing joy to all who partake in it. Visitors come to exchange insights, fostering virtue and wisdom. Reflecting on this, I was filled with emotion and thus composed the poem Winter Solstice Ode as encouragement for all:

“Welcoming winter with auspicious snow, a prosperous year ahead.

Righteousness and harmony bless these great mountains.

With spring’s return, the green sun shines bright,

And once more, year of the metal oxen brings triumphant news.”

Professor Zhan Shichuang, Director of the Laozi Research Institute at Sichuan University, respectfully inscribed this at Phoenix Mountain.

Huangdi Era Year 4720, Auspicious Day of the Winter Solstice in the Gui Mao Year.

The foundation of Chingxuan Academy