Commonly known as "Fazhu Gong" and referred to as "Sheng Jun Ye" by the Hakka people, the "Fazhu Shengjun" is a significant figure in traditional folk belief, revered by followers from diverse cultural backgrounds. He is primarily worshiped within Taoism, specifically within the Zhengyi Taoist tradition, but is also associated with Buddhist influences.
Zhang Ciguan, also known by his childhood name Ziguan and alias Sha, was a Taoist from Yongtai County, Fujian (Minqing, 1024-1069). He was believed to possess supernatural abilities and had the power to dispel demons and evil spirits. The Dehua County Annals, written during the reign of Qing Gaozong Qianlong, recorded:
"He refined his nature at Jiaoxi Mountain's Shigu Rock, where he witnessed night-time fire crystals on the Shiniu Mountain. He knew there were mischievous spirits (Xiao Mei) there and decided to go to that place. The spirits were luring women from nearby households, and the number of victims was substantial. Zhang Ciguan came forward and instructed people to peek through his fingers. The spirits were compelled to reveal their true forms." Zhang Ciguan, with the assistance of his sworn brothers, once jumped into the water of the Shiniu Cave in the Jiulongtan, Fujian, and used a sword to kill the long-standing poisonous snake demon that had been causing trouble in Yongchun.
This is why many temple statues depict him holding a sword in one hand and a snake in the other. Zhang Ciguan was renowned for his supernatural abilities and his achievements in ridding the region of snake demons. He was regarded as a great deity who could exorcise evil spirits. After his physical death, he was venerated as a local deity by the people. Due to his fame for his supernatural powers and spells, he was revered as the "Master of Magic." It is said that even Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty bestowed the title of "True Lord of Holy Magic" upon Zhang Ciguan. According to the Lushan school, it is believed that General Zhang in the Eastern Camp of the Five Camps of Guardian Deities is the same as the "Master of Magic," while Nezha is the commander of the Central Camp. Legend has it that not only did he eliminate snake demons, but also the "Master of Magic" in Fuzhou and the Minnan region was known for subduing crab spirits, stopping rain thieves, capturing rain gods, and banishing plague gods, among other feats.
In legend, the Master of Magic, Zhang Ciguan, along with Xiao Langrui and Zhang Langqing, the two true men, became sworn brothers and practiced their skills in the Xu Xun True Lord's palace on Lushan Mountain. They received the gift of the Wind and Fire Wheels and also mastered the arts of Taiyi Celestial Master, becoming skilled in Taoist magic. Zhang Ciguan also studied Buddhist practices. Once, he traveled to Mount Putuo in the South China Sea to pay his respects. Guanyin Bodhisattva gave him a willow branch, which, when he held it, transformed into a precious sword.
On his way back, he encountered Longshu Bodhisattva in front of the Dragon King's palace, who imparted the teachings of emptiness and presented a scripture enclosed in a brocade pouch. The pouch turned into the "Heaven and Earth Pouch," capable of holding spirits. Zhang Ciguan was deeply grateful for the teachings of the two Bodhisattvas and vowed to protect Buddhism. It is also said that there was a certain believer in Quanzhou who regularly welcomed their deities and their statues, conducting temple festivals and collecting offerings from the local villagers. This was a source of frustration for the people of Yongchun County, but they dared not speak out.
One day, the Master of Magic appeared through a planchette and said:
"If you truly have faith, must it revolve around money? If you hate greed, exchange temple gold for lead."
This message was meant to encourage the believers to keep the temple modest and prevent charlatans from taking advantage of it. Following these words, the believers acted accordingly. When the charlatans reached the Master of Magic's temple in Yongchun, they were surprised to find it in a state of disrepair and inquired about the strange situation.
The temple authorities responded, "In recent times, Yongchun has faced hardships and people are struggling, which is why even the Master of Magic's temple is in such a state of poverty." The charlatans had no choice but to take the deities back, wasting tens of thousands of silver coins.
During the campaign against false practices, there was a Taoist who claimed to follow the teachings of Luo Zu and possessed the ability to control the weather. He traveled to Quanzhou to persuade people to donate money, claiming it was for his elderly mother's expenses. This caused considerable confusion among the people, with some selling their wives and properties to follow him. As a result, the Taoist became wealthy, and he exploited the locals, even pressuring businesses to contribute offerings, or else his followers would create disturbances. One day, as they passed by the Master of Magic's temple, a giant python suddenly emerged, causing the sedan-bearers to panic, dropping the sedan to the ground. The Taoist fell and his money was scattered everywhere, but the snake disappeared. When the fire was extinguished, the Taoist had gone insane.
Currently, the Master of Magic's faith is prevalent in various counties in Fujian, including Fuzhou, Yongtai, Xianyou, Dehua, Yongchun, and Anxi. Tea merchants in Anxi, in particular, hold strong faith in the Master of Magic. Many tea merchants in Anxi equate the Master of Magic with the Clearwater Patriarch, considering them both as important protective deities.