Monks at Longhu Temple (Dragon-Tiger Temple) were painting a “Dragon-Tiger Battle” mural on the front wall. They struggled to capture dynamic tension: the dragon coiled in clouds, ready to descend; the tiger crouched on a mountain, poised to pounce.
(more…)Tag: enlightenment
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The Origin of the Dharma Name Tianran
After becoming an ordained monk, Danxia traveled to Jiangxi to visit Master Mazu, thanking him for his earlier guidance.
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Follow the Current
Fachang, a disciple of the Chan master Mazu Daoyi and a renowned Tang dynasty monk, resided as abbot on Great Plum Mountain (Daimei Shan) in Yuyao, earning him the name “Great Plum Fachang.”
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How to avoid cold and heat?
Dongshan Liangjie was a seminal Chinese Zen master of the Tang Dynasty. He established the Caodong lineage/school with his disciple Caoshan Benji, emphasizing silent illumination (默照禅) — a meditation practice integrating stillness and innate wisdom without forced effort.
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The Wild Fox Chan
During the Tang Dynasty, Chan Master Baizhang Huaihai was renowned for his strict adherence to monastic rules and his profound teachings.
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The three unavoidable tasks
During the Song Dynasty, the renowned Zen master Dahui had a disciple named Daoqian. Despite years of meditation practice, Daoqian remained unenlightened. One evening, he earnestly confided in his senior brother Zongyuan about his frustration and begged for guidance.
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The Buddha that cannot be found
A fraudulent monk, lacking true enlightenment, called himself the “Master of Silence.” To hide his ignorance, he employed two eloquent attendants to answer questions on his behalf. To maintain an air of mystical profundity, he himself never spoke a word.
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The Silent Dialogue
There was a monastery overseen by two brothers. The elder brother was highly learned, while the younger brother was simple-minded and had only one eye.
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Polishing a Brick to Make a Mirror
One day, seeing Mazu Daoyi (later a renowned Chan master) sitting rigidly in meditation for hours, his teacher Huairang decided to challenge him.
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