SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

emptiness

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 20.2

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    Juan

    This Han Feizi passage redefines Daoist emptiness and non-action. True emptiness is spontaneous mental freedom, not forced practice. Natural non-action nurtures virtue and enables effective rule.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 5.1

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    Juan

    Han Fei blends Taoism and Legalism. Rulers stay calm, hide preferences, use non-action, leverage ministers’ talents, take credit, and shift blame to keep supreme power.

  • Caigentan 75. The dual cultivation

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    Juan

    Man must keep his mind wide open, so that righteousness can take up its dwelling there.

  • The nun who tripped on an invisible thread

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    Ana

    The nun Xuanji of Wenzhou, ordained during the Tang Jingyun era (710–711 CE), meditated in stone caves on Great Sun Mountain. One day she reflected: “Dharma-nature is inherently pure — why cling to stillness over noise?” She journeyed to meet Master Xuefeng.

  • Oven-Breaker Monk

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    Ana

    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.

  • Dharma Buddha non-dual

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    Ana

    Master Sengcan was the third patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism and a direct disciple of Master Huike, who received the Dharma from Bodhidharma. He is best known for composing the seminal work “Xinxin Ming” (“Verses on the Faith-Mind”), which emphasizes the realization of non-duality and the oneness of mind and Buddha-nature.

  • Transmitting mind to mind

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    Ana

    Master Sengguang Huike (487–593 CE), often simply known as Huike, was the second patriarch of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism and a direct disciple of Bodhidharma, the founder of the school. His life and teachings played a pivotal role in establishing Chan Buddhism in China.

  • Stone as Buddha, Buddha as Stone

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    Ana

    Chan Master Nanquan Puyuan (748–834 CE) was a respected disciple of Mazu Daoyi, one of the great figures in Tang Dynasty Chan Buddhism.

  • Deny the real too!

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    Ana

    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…