The 32nd generation disciple of the Quanzhen Sect __ a French female doctorate

Ms. Karine Martin, President of the French Taoist Association - Experiencing Chinese Culture and Integrating into Daily Life

On the afternoon of the 23rd, at the sub-forum of the Tao Te Ching Forum titled "The Tao Te Ching and Harmonious Culture," a beautiful French female medical doctor who had been a Taoist nun in Xi'an for over two years—Jing Xiu, President of the French Taoist Association—captured special attention from the attendees with her speech.

In her speech, Jing Xiu called on the government to provide more convenient conditions for foreigners coming to China to practice Taoism, such as allowing foreign Taoists to reside in Taoist temples. Jing Xiu is 34 years old, originally named Karine Martin, from a town in southern Paris, France. She is a Western medicine doctorate graduate from the University of Paris, having worked in the UK for five years, mainly researching the brain's response to drugs.

After the conference, the reporter interviewed Jing Xiu. She is not very tall, wearing a dark blue Taoist robe, a Taoist headdress, white socks, black cloth shoes, and her blonde hair was neatly tied up into a beautiful bun. Jing Xiu told the reporter that at the age of 26, by chance, she attended a meditation class with a colleague, which was her first encounter with Chinese Taoist culture and the Tao Te Ching. She experienced an unprecedented spiritual realm internally, which left a deep impression on her.

First Encounter with Taoism at Age 26: Unforgettable Experience

Later, she met a British man named Shi Jing, who had been studying Chinese Taoism for 30 years, and Huang Shizhen, the abbot of Qinghua Palace in Xi'an, who came to the UK to spread Taoist culture. Abbot Huang accepted this French disciple and gave her the name Jing Xiu. In 2001, driven by a strong admiration for the profound Chinese Taoist culture, Jing Xiu decided to resign from her job in the UK, leave everything behind, and come to China to become a Taoist nun. After several years of "cultivation," Jing Xiu is now the president of the French Taoist Association and the 32nd generation disciple of the Quanzhen Sect of the Longmen School.

Jing Xiu said that before becoming a nun, she had a boyfriend, but due to her coming to China, they couldn't be together anymore, so they broke up. She rarely mentions her previous medical profession anymore. Regarding these changes, Jing Xiu expressed no regret or loss, because learning Taoism is also very important to her. Currently, what troubles Jing Xiu is that many French people are interested in Taoism, and there are now over 30 members in the association in France. However, there are no Taoist temples in France, no Taoist priests to teach, and no authoritative translation of the Tao Te Ching, making it difficult for everyone to study. Therefore, she appeals for the establishment of an international team familiar with and understanding of the Tao Te Ching to translate an authoritative version for all Taoism enthusiasts worldwide. The reporter also learned that Jing Xiu is facing unprecedented difficulties: not being allowed to live in Taoist temples, difficulty finding work, and her visa is about to expire... We can only wish her a swift resolution to her predicaments and smooth sailing ahead.