A brief introduction to the life of the Tang Dynasty monk Baizhang Zen

Baizhang Huaihai Zen Master is an important figure in the history of Chinese Zen Buddhism, a Zen monk in the Tang Dynasty. Originally from Taiyuan, his distant ancestors moved to Fuzhou because of the war of Emperor Yongjia in the Western Jin Dynasty, and his surname was Wang. He is the heir of Master Matsu Daoyi, the founder of Hongzhou Zongfeng, and the formulator of Zen jungle rules.

Because he lived in Baizhang Mountain in Hongzhou (Fengxin, Jiangxi) in the second half of his life, he was called Baizhang Zen Master. After the middle of the Tang Dynasty, due to the sharp contradiction between the old canons and precepts and the development of Zen Buddhism, Huaihai boldly carried out canon reform and established Baizhang Qing rules. It clears the obstacles for the development of Zen Buddhism and makes an indelible and significant contribution to the development of Zen Buddhism.

It is another great virtue of Buddhism after Master Hui Neng.

Tang Dynasty Baizhang Zen Master Twenty Jungle Rules:

The jungle thrives on nothingness, and the practice is stable on chanting the Buddha.

Diligence takes precepts as the first and diseases take food reduction as a decoction.

Afflictions are liberated by forbearance and humiliation, and right and wrong are liberated by non-argument.

Keeping the people to be old becomes true love, and the deacon is meritorious with dedication.

Language is straightforward to reduce and grow up to be kind and virtuous.

Learning starts with diligence, and cause and effect is understood as no fault.

Old age and death take impermanence as a warning, and Buddhism is strict and practical.

Hospitality is offered with sincerity, and the mountain gate is solemn for the old.

All things are pre-established as not labor, and the people are courteous with humility.

In distress, we should focus on not being chaotic, and we should be based on compassion.

According to "Yangshan Hui Lonely Zen.

According to the Quotations of the Copying Master, Bai Weishan once asked Yang Shanyun: "Matsu is in and out of the fourteen people who are good at knowledge, how many people have a big machine, and how many people have to use it?" Yang Shan replied: "Baizhang has a great opportunity, Huang Bai has a great use, and the rest are all teachers of singing and directing." ”

According to the "Tang Hongzhou Baizhang Mountain Ancient Huaihai Zen Master Tower Ming" and "Song Dynasty Monk Biography", "Jingde Chuan Lantern Record", "Ancient Zun Su Quotations" and other relevant materials, Huaihai common surname Wang, Fuzhou Changle people. He became a monk at an early age, first according to the monk Huizhao of Chaoyang Xishan, and later according to the monk of Hengshan Farang to receive full ordination. He went to Lujiang (now Lujiang County, Anhui) to read Tibetan scriptures for many years, and had a profound knowledge of scriptures, laws, and Buddhism.

At that time, Matsu Daoyi was preaching the Dharma in Jiangxi, the world was windy, Huaihai went to study, and Zhizang and Puyuan entered the same room, each with its own strengths, and became the three major scholars of Matsu who stood on their feet. After enlightenment, because of the abbot Baizhang Mountain, it is called Baizhang Huaihai.

Huaihai's personality is described in Tang Chenxu's "Tower Ming": "The words are concise and concise, and the appearance is magnificent; When you see it, you are respectful, and you often feel inferior. ”

Baizhang Zen Master was a great revolutionary in the history of Chinese Buddhism. The reason why Buddhism can be spread is due to the establishment of the jungle system, the establishment of meditation halls, and the establishment of Qing rules by the two masters and apprentices of Matsu Baizhang. The history is called "Matsu built a dojo, and a hundred zhang set up rules". Sina Buddhism, Anqing Evening News).

Su Shuhua, a professor of philosophy at Nanchang University and a senior researcher of Buddhism, commented: "The Zen method of Baizhang Zen Master has both the style of gradual cultivation of the Northern Sect (the discussion of the second peak) and the style of the Southern Sect (the wordless meaning of the peak of the wonderful peak). ”

Hyakjoji Temple. Baizhang Temple is located in the Daxiong Mountain in Fengxin, Jiangxi Province, which has long had the reputation of "Xianyuan Spiritual Realm", is the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism Zen Buddhism "Zen Forest Qing Gui", also known as "the world Qing Gui" section number, one of the ancient temples of Chinese Buddhism Zen grip and the first sect, the temple has a history of 1200 years so far, back to the mountain and the field, covers an area of 1200 acres, the original seven into the hall, hidden in the green bamboo of the mountains, enjoys a good reputation in the Chinese and foreign Buddhist circles. It is a key cultural relics protection unit in Jiangxi Province.

Baizhang Zen Master died in Baizhang Temple, and was buried in Yichun City after the shed was closed.