China: Carving of Tongtian Jiaozhu, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel...

Tongtian Jiaozhu, sometimes translated as Grandmaster of Heaven, was a character from the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. He was the third disciple of Hongjun Laozu, supreme patriatch of the Three Pure Ones in Taoism, and the younger brother to Yuanshi Tianzun and Taishan Laojun, two of the Three Pure Ones. Tongtian Jiaozhu is often portrayed in an antagonistic role to his more virtuous brothers. While his brothers became the patriarch deities to the Chan Branch of Taoism, Tongtian formed his own sect, known as Branch Jie. He lived in Biyou palace on Jinsha Island, where he taught his disciples and followers. One day, Guangchenzi, one of the leaders of Branch Chan, came to visit Tongtian on his own island. While there, Guangchenzi killed one of Tongtian's favoured disciples, Jinguang Shengmu, by mistake. This would cause a war between the two branches for many years, resulting in many injuries and deaths amongst the Xians and gods. The war eventually ended during the fall of the Shang Dynasty, with Branch Jie allying with the corrupt Shang Dynasty while Branch Chan aided the more virtuous Zhou army. Branch Jie lost, and Tongtian Jiaozhu was arrested by his master Hongjun Laozu. Editor: Anandajoti