Pu-An Zu Shi (普唵祖师) in Chinese Folk Taoism

Pu’an (普庵禅师) (1115–69), a monk during Southern Song Dynasty, whose lay name is Yu Yinsu (余印肃), was a native of the district of Yichun (central Jiangxi, near the Hunan border)- 江西省宜春人. At the Year 1134, he became a  Buddhist monk. He achieved awakening during an interview with the Linji monk Mu’anzhong on Mt Wei in Hunan. Later, as abbot of the Ci Hua Si (慈化寺) near his home village, he became famous for his miracles and exorcisms.

In Chinese Folk Taoism, Pu’an (普庵禅师) is revered as Pu-An Zu Shi (普唵祖师).     The story was told that he was a Taoist who converted to Buddhism, but who wished to retain a trace of his Taoist origins by keeping the practices of which resemble those of the Taoist exorcist par excellence, Zhang Daoling. Rituals performed by Pu’an specialists include communal rituals, exorcisms, and funeral rituals. Ritual texts in Pu-An Sect (普庵派」（普唵派）), like their ritual implements and paintings, essentially belong to the Tantric tradition, albeit with a heavy admixture of Daoist elements of both Zheng-Yi Sect  (正一派) and Lü-Shan Sect (闾山派) / San-Nai Sect (三奶派) origin.

The Talismans of Pu-An Sect, the Character "An" - 唵, is written with 2 more strokes, which is very important. Without these 2 strokes, the talismans are fake, or have no spiritual power. If You happen to own a chinese talisman that contains the word "An" - 唵,  make sure You see there are 2 more strokes on the talisman, if not the master  who created the talisman for You, is a fake master who doesn't know what he is doing.

Practitioners of Pu-An Sect, identify themselves as mixture of Buddhism and Taoism. The usage of Pu-An Talismans and Rituals of Pu-An Sect, is to tab into the spiritual power of Master Pu' An and Buddhism.

Related Article: 

• 闾山派 (Lǘ Shān Sect)
• This Is Not Pure Taoism?