安令首
An Lingshou was born in Shandong province, but there is no information about the date of her birth. It is said that An Lingshou flourished in the first half of the fourth century. She was a daughter of Xu Chong, who was an official of the Later Zhao dynasty.
When An Lingshou's father, Xu Chong, wanted her to marry she did not support the idea. To her father’s accusation that she would err against ritual if she were not to marry, she answered that since her mind was focused on spiritual matters she was above being judged by worldly criteria. Xu Chong then took the issue to Fotudeng who said that allowing An to become a nun would bring the family honor and glory and guide them to salvation.
As a nun, An Lingshou was known for her wisdom and the depth of her understanding of things abstract and spiritual. She became a leader in the Buddhist community and converted over 200 individuals. Through her diligence and hard work, she was responsible for building five monasteries and a retreat. The Later Zhao ruler Shi Hu esteemed her highly and promoted her father to the position of gentleman attendant at the palace gate and governor of Qinghe.
An Lingshou was known in Chinese history as a woman whose success paved the way for other women to choose religious life, one that was not focused on the traditional role of a woman in society. Her declaration that a woman did not have to follow the traditional model in order to be considered proper was nothing less than a declaration of independence for women.
An Lingshou occupied herself with the study of Buddhist truths.
An Lingshou was said to have been intelligent and, from a young age, to have loved learning. She was quiet by nature and not fond of worldly things.
An Lingshou never married and had no children.
