About Tao Runai
Lived 1601 – 1683 (aged 81–82). Tao Runai was a Chinese writer, calligrapher and bhikkhu.
Tao Runai (; 1601 - 1683), courtesy name Zhongtiao and Xieyou , art name Mi'an and Shixinong , dharma name Rentoutuo , was a Chinese official, scholar, calligrapher and Buddhist monk who resisted the Qing conquest of China in the 17th century. He spent most of his life during the Manchu conquest of China and anti-Qing activities after the Ming dynasty had been overthrown.
Biography Tao was born in Huangminglou Town of Ningxiang, Hunan in 1601. In 1629 he entered Guozijian, the highest institution of traditional Chinese culture in China. After graduation, he became an official in south China's Guangdong province. In 1644, after the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) had been overthrown, Zhu Yousong built his capital at Nanjing and named his new regime "Hongguang", Tao went to join the Southern Ming dynasty (1644–1645). But the new country has only one year to exist, Tao had to go to Guangxi and served as an official in the Yongli Regime (1646–1661). After the collapse of Yongli Regime, he received ordination as a monk in Miyin Temple, Weishan Township. He had a dharma name "Rentoutuo" (, means a patient monk).
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Tao Runai's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Tao Runai?
Qing dynasty person CBDB = 87881 (1601–1683)
When was Tao Runai born?
Tao Runai was born in 1601 in Huaminglou Town.
When did Tao Runai die?
Tao Runai died in 1683 in Hunan, Ningxiang.
What was Tao Runai's occupation?
Tao Runai was a writer, calligrapher and bhikkhu.
What nationality was Tao Runai?
Tao Runai was Chinese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tao Runai. https://biography.guide/tao-runai/
MLA: "Tao Runai." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tao-runai/.
Chicago: "Tao Runai." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tao-runai/.
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