Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
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Chan Master Chongxin of Longtan Temple in Lizhou was born to an unnamed pastry vendor in Zhugong. Exceptionally bright as a youth, he encountered Monk Daowu — secretly invited by Lingjian to lead Tianhuang Temple — who then dwelled unrecognized by the public.
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Zen Master Lingmo, a prominent Tang Dynasty master, first studied under Mazu Daoyi in Jiangxi without awakening. Later, at Mount Heng, he encountered Master Shitou Xiqian.
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Chan Master Zhizang (735–814 CE), also known as Xitang Zhizang, was a renowned Tang Dynasty master. Ordained young, he became a close disciple of Mazu Daoyi at thirteen, later honored among the Three Great Disciples of Hongzhou alongside Baizhang Huaihai and Nanquan Puyuan. He studied with National Preceptor Huizhong and trained under Ox-Head School’s…
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National Teacher Huizhong (Imperial Preceptor Huizhong), a renowned Tang Dynasty Chan master who studied under Huineng, was revered by three emperors.
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Chan Master Xingsi ordained in childhood and later sought the Sixth Patriarch Huineng at Caoxi, becoming his foremost disciple. Shitou Xiqian arrived at Caoxi in Huineng’s final years. As the Patriarch prepared to enter nirvana, Xiqian pleaded: “To whom shall I turn after your passing?” Huineng’s dying guidance cut like lightning: “Seek Si” —…
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Chan Master Wuzhu (714–774 CE), founder of the Baotang School — one of Tang Dynasty’s ten great Chan lineages — studied under Master Wuxiang at Chengdu’s Jingzhong Temple and became his Dharma heir. Master Wuzhu taught “no-thought” Zen, guiding seekers beyond dogma. His school’s essence lay in “Any arising thought is delusion; cease the…
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A Chan master of the Tang Dynasty, disciple of National Teacher Hui’an, was unknown in name and origin. His enigmatic conduct defied understanding as he dwelt in seclusion on Songshan Mountain.
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Chan Master Weizheng (757–843 CE) was a renowned eminent monk during the Tang Dynasty. He initially studied sutra recitation under Master Quancheng at Yanhe Temple in his home province, later receiving Dharma transmission from Chan Master Puji on Songshan Mountain(Mount Song), thus becoming a key lineage holder of the Northern School of Chan Buddhism.
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Master Dao Lin (735 – 833 CE), also known as the Chan Master in Bird’s Nest, was a unique and notable figure in the history of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. Known for his unconventional lifestyle and profound teachings, he earned his nickname “Bird’s Nest” due to his habit of residing in an abandoned bird’s nest…