Yulin Tongxiu (1614–1675CE), Dharma name Tongxiu, courtesy name Yulin, commonly known as National Master Yulin, was a renowned Chan master of the Linji (Rinzai) school during the transition period between the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. He once served as abbot of Baoren Temple in Wukang, Zhejiang Province. In 1658, he was summoned to the capital by imperial decree. In 1660, he was honored with the title of National Master by the Shunzhi Emperor of the Qing dynasty. In his later years, Yulin Tongxiu established the Chanyuan Temple on Mount Xitianmu in Zhejiang Province, where he resided for a long time.
Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty summoned National Teacher Yulin Tongxiu to the palace, inquiring about Buddhism:
“In the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, the Buddha searches for the mind in seven locations. Where does the mind reside–within these seven or beyond?”
Yulin replied:
“The sought mind is fundamentally unobtainable.”
Shunzhi: “Does an enlightened person still experience joy, anger, sorrow, or delight?”
Yulin countered: “What do you call ‘joy, anger, sorrow, or delight’?”
Shunzhi: “Mountains, rivers, and earth arise from illusory thoughts. If illusions cease, do they still exist?”
Yulin answered: “Like one awakening from a dream–do the dream’s events exist or not?”
Shunzhi: “How should one practice?”
Yulin: “Sit upright in non-action.”
Shunzhi: “What is true greatness?”
Yulin quoted the Classic of History:
“Light fills the four directions, reaching heaven above and earth below.”
Shunzhi: “How to realize one’s original face?”
Yulin invoked the Sixth Patriarch:
“When not thinking good or evil–at that very moment, what is your original face?”
Thereafter, Shunzhi often declared:
“A single dialogue with National Teacher Yulin–I deeply regret not meeting him sooner!”
Philosophical Notes
The Unlocatable Mind:
Yulin’s “unobtainable mind” negates all conceptual searching, echoing Bodhidharma’s teaching: “Mind cannot be grasped — this is true mind.”
Non-Action as Supreme Practice:
“Sit upright in non-action” rejects forced cultivation. Like a mirror reflecting clouds, enlightened mind engages without striving.
Dream Metaphor for Illusory Form:
Comparing mountains/rivers to dream images reveals: Phenomena vanish when delusion ceases, yet suchness remains.
Original Face Before Thought:
Quoting Huineng’s Platform Sutra, Yulin points to awareness prior to dualistic judgments — the emperor’s true self.
Zen Essence:
Yulin’s brilliance:
Used imperial language (Classic of History) to convey Dharma
Redirected the emperor’s intellect to direct experience (“not thinking good/evil”)
Shunzhi’s “regret” signifies: Even emperors hunger for truth beyond power.
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