Randeng Daoren (Chinese: 燃灯道人; pinyin: Rándēng Dàorén; lit. 'Burning Lamp Taoist') is a character in the famed classic Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi. He was renowned as the Superiorman of Mount Condor, Intuition Cave. His role originated from Dipankara Buddha of Buddhist lore, who was a past enlightened being before the time of Gautama Buddha.[1][2] The Burning-Lamp Taoist sometimes appears as a door god in Chinese and Taoist temples, usually in partnership with Zhao Gongming.[3][4][5][6]

In Fengshen Yanyi

Following the incident with Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun and Taiyi Zhenren, Nezha once again saw an opportunity to strike down his father, Li Jing, and end his great hatred. Before their battle, Randeng Daoren saw Li Jing and immediately told him to hide behind him lest he be killed. Once Nezha appeared directly before Randeng Daoren, Randeng Daoren said, "I thought this problem had been resolved in the Cloud Top Cave. It is not good for you to rekindle your revenge again."[7][8][9][10]

Randeng Daoren thrust Li Jing forward to fight. Because Randeng Daoren had already spat on Li Jing's back - which gave him magical powers - Li Jing was a match for Nezha at last. Nezha, who easily saw the trickery, stabbed his spear at Randeng Daoren; Randeng Daoren easily negated his spear by forming a large white lotus from his own mouth. Once Nezha attempted to attack Randeng Daoren once again, Randeng Daoren had no choice but to unleash a purple cloud from his sleeve—a purple cloud that would trap Nezha within a large burning golden tower. Following this, Randeng Daoren could effectively control Nezha. However, he decided it best to teach the technique to Li Jing lest Nezha rebel again. Thus, Randeng Daoren took his leave after entrusting the Zhou Dynasty to Li Jing, who was now Li the Pagoda Bearer.[11]

References

  1. ^ Studies, University of Michigan Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese (1962). Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (University of Michigan) Publications. Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, University of Michigan. ISBN 978-0-89264-154-3.
  2. ^ 洮石老坑 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 August 2017. ISBN 978-7-5490-1424-8.
  3. ^ "Chinese woodblock print depicting the Military Door God Randeng Daoren （燃灯道人）". www.roots.gov.sg.
  4. ^ Tone, Sixth (21 January 2023). "Spirited Away: A Peek into the World of China's Door Gods". SixthTone.
  5. ^ 中国门神年画经典 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 September 2015. ISBN 978-7-5507-1459-5.
  6. ^ 山西平阳木版画 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 November 2017. ISBN 978-7-5457-1625-2.
  7. ^ "Fengshen Yanyi ch. 14 para. 12: 哪吒現蓮花化身 [Nezha appears incarnate as a lotus flower]". Chinese Text Project. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  8. ^ 湖南地方戏剧目提要 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 November 2011. ISBN 978-7-5404-5219-3.
  9. ^ 川剧 (in Chinese). 四川人民出版社. 1959.
  10. ^ 文化记忆与艺术新形态：以《西游记》的记忆空间为中心 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 May 2017. ISBN 978-7-5203-0272-2.
  11. ^ 中国古代小说大全集 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 January 2019. ISBN 978-7-999008-08-8.


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