Mu Clan Patronage of Daoism in Ming-Dynasty Yunnan: An Examination of the Epigraphic Record

Abstract:This paper is based on an examination of Ming-dynasty stela inscriptions from Yunnan and focuses mainly on Daoist temple patronage by general Mu Ying 沐英 (1345–1392), adopted son of the first Ming emperor, and his descendants. The Mus, guardians of Yunnan right up until the destruction of the Southern Ming, were the region’s most powerful clan. They sponsored a wide variety of Daoist establishments, almost all of them in the Kunming region. No cult received more attention than that of Zhenwu 真武 (Perfected Warrior), the dynasty’s official protective deity since the early fifteenth century. Besides inquiring into the religious beliefs informing Mu clan patronage of Daoism, this paper also touches upon the activities of the major Daoist cleric Liu Yuanran 劉淵然 (1351–1432) and some of his leading disciples.