Many western folks who practice Philosophical Taoism will never have heard of this Deity. Even many Chinese folks who pray to Taoist Gods will never heard of this Deity either.
The Patriarch Of Taoist Magic Skills (万法祖师) is San Shan Jiu Hou Xian Shi (三山九侯仙師) - The Spiritual Master of Three Mountains & Nine Marquis. His full title is Tai Xuan Du Shen San Shan Jiu Hou Xian Shi (泰玄都省三山九侯祖师). His another title is Bing Ling Gong (炳灵公). He is always accompanied by 2 young deities - The Talismanic Boy (法符童子) and Talisman Receiving Boy (收符童郎）.
Wan Fa Zu Shi (万法祖师） is a very important deity for those who practice and perform Taoist Magical Skills. Taoist Sects, such as Mao Shan Sect （茅山派).
Taoist Masters of Mao Shan Pai （茅山派）, who operate Liu Ding Liu Jia Altar (六丁六甲神坛), will place him as the main deity on the altar, as he is the deity who command Liu Ding Liu Jia Spiritual Soldiers （六丁六甲神）.
Wan Fa Zu Shi (万法祖师） was a human figure appeared during the period of Han Dynasty. His actual name was Wo Li Fu (臥立夫). Since young, he had great interest in learning the various Spiritual Skills of Taoism. When he had grown-up, Wan Fa Zu Shi (万法祖师） wondered around the whole country to gain knowledge from various Taoist Masters of the various Schools of that period. He was able to create another set of Theory and Teaching out from the skills that he had learnt and form the Skills of Wan Fa Gui Zong (万法归宗).
It was recorded that during the 5th Year of Emperor Shun of Han (115–144), Wan Fa Zu Shi (万法祖师） entered Kong Tong Mountain (崆峒山) and rode on a Qi Lin (麒麟) and glided to heaven.
From then on, his disciples took over the task to spread and impart the Spiritual Skills of Wan Fa Gui Zong (万法归宗) - The Secret Transmission of Practices to Return to One's Origin.
Jiu Hou (九侯) is the Official Title
The 3 Mountains - San Shan (三山) initially refers to:
Long Hu Shan （龙虎山）
Mao Shan （茅山）
Ge Zao Shan （閤皂山）
During the Ming & Qing Dynasty, the 3 Mountains - San Shan (三山) changed to:
Long Hu Shan （龙虎山）
Mao Shan （茅山）
Wu Dang Shan (武當山)
Notice that the deity has one eye smaller than the other one...
Left eye is to see the Heavenly Realm
Right eye is to see the Earthly Realm
One eye Big & One eye Small - to see the differences and changes in Life.
Related Articles:
The Patriarch Of Taoist Magic Skills - Wan Fa Zu Shi (万法祖师)
Mao-Shan Straw & Paper Effigies In Taoist Sorcery (茅山 草人/ 纸人 术)
Southern Mao Shan Sect (南传茅山派)
Mao Shan Sect （茅山派）