  Sun Simiao 孫思邈 (581–682) was the author of two major works on medical practice and a work on Daoist longevity prescriptions. He has been worshiped as the “Medicine Buddha,” and as the “King of Medicine” (yao wang). Sun is said to have taken up medicine to strengthen his own health after childhood illnesses. He also treated relatives and neighbors, and practiced medicine near the Tang capital of Chang’an. He also traveled widely to learn new prescription recipes. After completing his first book, he lived in seclusion on Mt. Wubai (Wubai shan, later known, after him, as Yao wang Shan), where he followed Daoist principles. He refused several official positions at the Sui and Tang courts, preferring to treat ordinary people in the countryside.