conceptual trap

  • The minister and the shouting laborer

    Huangbo Xiyun was an influential Chinese Chan Buddhist master from Fujian province, renowned for his role in developing the “sudden enlightenment” approach and mentoring Linji Yixuan (founder of the Linji/Rinzai school). As a disciple of Baizhang Huaihai, he became famous for his uncompromising teaching style — using shouts, strikes, and paradoxical dialogues to awaken…

  • The Demon of Words

    Yangshan Huiji was a renowned Tang Dynasty Zen master and co-founder of the Weiyang school, one of the Five Houses of Zen. A principal disciple of Weishan Lingyou, he was celebrated for his poetic Zen dialogues and “circular symbols” — abstract drawings used to provoke awakening.