-
The tea leaves that taught a soul to dance
A young man, crushed by repeated failures, came to Puji Temple seeking the advice of Venerable Shi Yuan. He lamented: “What’s the point of living when life is nothing but disappointment?”
-
The unspoken Hundred Flavors
Master Yaoshan Weiyan (751–834 CE) was a prominent Chan (Zen) master during the Tang Dynasty. Born in Guizhou Province, Weiyan became a monk at an early age and studied under several masters before ultimately becoming a disciple of Master Shitou Xiqian. He founded Yaoshan Temple, from which he got his name, in Hunan (now…
-
The Six-Windowed Room
Chan Master Xuelang Hong’en （1548 – 1608CE）was a notable Chinese Chan (Zen) master whose teachings contributed significantly to the development and spread of Chan Buddhism in China. He used the vivid metaphors “a monkey in a six-windowed room” to illustrate the interplay between perception and intrinsic Buddha-nature and inspired chan master Yangshan Huiji.
-
Deny the real too!
Chan Master Dazhu Huihai, a prominent Tang Dynasty monk, was ordained under Master Daozhi at Dayun Temple in Yuezhou. After reading Huihai’s writing (The Essential Gateway to Truth by Sudden Awakening), Master Mazu Daoyi praised him as “Great Pearl” — a Buddhist symbol of awakening and wisdom — hence later generations also referred to…
-
The whole universe is an eye
A monk asked Master Xishan: “What is Bodhidharma’s purpose coming West?”Xishan answered by raising his whisk. Dissatisfied, the monk sought Master Xuefeng.
-
Capsize boat before vs. after crossing the sea
Chan Master Xuefeng Yicun (822-908) stands as one of the most influential figures in Tang Dynasty Chan Buddhism. Born into a devout Buddhist family, he demonstrated early spiritual maturity — expressing monastic aspirations by age nine and taking full ordination at seventeen. His rigorous training under masters Dongshan Liangjie and Dechan Xuanjian culminated in…