Shenyi (深意) | 24 Histories

Overview

Shenyi was a Nun and Religious Leader.

PeriodFive Dynasties

IdentityHistorical · Female

Roles

Found in

Life and dates

Death

body preserved then later burned in Song Qiande/Jianlong era
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 125, passages 219, 244, 250

Attested activity

AD 930 to AD 944 尼深意
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 125, passage 219

Family

Kin of Sun Fangjian (孫方諫)
clansman 宗人 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 125, passage 220

References in the histories

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 125Volume 125 Book of Later Zhou 27: Biographies 5: Lie Chuanwu, Zhao Hui, Wang Shou'en, Kong Zhijun, Wang Jihong, Feng Hui, Gao Yunquan, Zhe Congruan, Wang Rao, Sun Fangjian · 2 passages

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有尼深意者，俗姓孫氏，主其事，以香火之教聚其徒，聲言屍不壞，因復以衣襟，瞻禮信奉，有同其生。 A nun named Shenyi, born to the Sun clan, directed its affairs. Through her incense cult she gathered followers, claiming that corpses did not decay and dressing them in garments. People worshipped them as if they were still alive.

己酉，制削奪行友官爵，禁錮私第，取尼深意屍，焚之都城西北隅。 On jiyou day, an imperial order stripped Xingyou of his offices and titles and confined him in his private residence. The corpse of the nun Shenyi was taken and burned in the northwest corner of the capital.