Zhaozhou became ordained as a monk at an early age. At the age of 18, he met Nánquán Pǔyuàn (南泉普願 748–835; J: Nansen Fugan), a successor of Mǎzǔ Dàoyī (709–788; J. Baso Do-itsu), and eventually received the Dharma from him.[2] When Nanquan asked Zhaozhou the koan "What is the Way?", the two had a dialogue, at the height of which Zhaozhou attained enlightenment. Zhaozhou continued to practice under Nanquan until the latter's death.
Subsequently, Zhaozhou began to travel throughout China, visiting the prominent Chan masters of the time before finally, at the age of eighty, settling in Guānyīnyuàn (觀音院), a ruined temple in northern China.[3] There, for the next 40 years, he taught a small group of monks.
Zhaozhou is sometimes touted as the greatest Chan master of Tang dynasty China during a time when its hegemony was disintegrating as more and more regional military governors (jiédùshǐ) began to assert their power. Zhaozhou's lineage died out quickly due to the many wars and frequent purges of Buddhism in China at the time, and cannot be documented beyond the year 1000.
Zhaozhou is remembered for his verbal inventiveness and sense of humor.[4] One of his recorded sayings is:[4]
A monk asked the Master, "What is a true statement?" Zhaozhou replied, "Your mother is ugly."
Many koans in both the Blue Cliff Record and The Gateless Gate concern Zhaozhou, with twelve cases in the former and five in the latter being attributed to him. He is, however, probably best known for the first koan in The Gateless Gate:
A monk asked Chao-chou, "Has the dog Buddha-nature or not?" Chao-chou said, "Wu."[5]
^ abSullivan, Matthew Juksan (2021). The Garden of Flowers and Weeds: A New Translation and Commentary on the Blue Cliff Record. Rhinebeck, NY: Monkfish Book Publishing Company. pp. xxiii. ISBN9781948626491.
Dumoulin, Heinrich. Zen Buddhism: A History. Volume 1: India and China. Tr. Heisig, James W. and Knitter, Paul. Bloomington, Indiana: World Wisdom, 2005.
Green, James; ed. and tr. The Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Joshu. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1998. ISBN1-57062-870-X.
Hoffmann, Yoel, ed. and tr., Radical Zen: The Sayings of Joshu. Bantam press, 1978.
External links
Yang, Fenggang; Wei, Dedong, (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2010
Zhu, Caifang (2003), (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-29
January 31, 2023
zhaozhou, congshen, zhàozhōu, cōngshěn, chinese, 趙州從諗, wade, giles, chao, chou, shen, japanese, jōshū, jūshin, chán, buddhist, master, especially, known, paradoxical, statements, strange, deeds, zhàozhōu, cōngshěnwoodcut, from, fozu, zhengzong, daoying, 1880, . Zhaozhōu Cōngshen Chinese 趙州從諗 Wade Giles Chao chou Ts ung shen Japanese Jōshu Jushin 778 897 was a Chan Zen Buddhist master especially known for his paradoxical statements and strange deeds 1 Zhaozhōu CōngshenWoodcut from Fozu zhengzong daoying 1880 TitleCh an shihPersonalBorn778ChinaDied897 aged 118 119 ReligionBuddhismNationalityChineseSchoolCh anZhaozhou CongshenChinese nameChinese趙州從諗TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinZhaozhōu CōngshenWuSuzhouneseZau6tseu1 Tshon1sen3Yue CantoneseJyutpingZiu6zau1 Cung1sam2Vietnamese nameVietnamese alphabetTriệu Chau Tung ThẩmHan Nom趙州從諗Korean nameHangul조주종심Hanja趙州從諗Japanese nameKanji趙州従諗TranscriptionsRomanizationJōshu JushinZhaozhou became ordained as a monk at an early age At the age of 18 he met Nanquan Pǔyuan 南泉普願 748 835 J Nansen Fugan a successor of Mǎzǔ Daoyi 709 788 J Baso Do itsu and eventually received the Dharma from him 2 When Nanquan asked Zhaozhou the koan What is the Way the two had a dialogue at the height of which Zhaozhou attained enlightenment Zhaozhou continued to practice under Nanquan until the latter s death Subsequently Zhaozhou began to travel throughout China visiting the prominent Chan masters of the time before finally at the age of eighty settling in Guanyinyuan 觀音院 a ruined temple in northern China 3 There for the next 40 years he taught a small group of monks Zhaozhou is sometimes touted as the greatest Chan master of Tang dynasty China during a time when its hegemony was disintegrating as more and more regional military governors jiedushǐ began to assert their power Zhaozhou s lineage died out quickly due to the many wars and frequent purges of Buddhism in China at the time and cannot be documented beyond the year 1000 Zhaozhou is remembered for his verbal inventiveness and sense of humor 4 One of his recorded sayings is 4 A monk asked the Master What is a true statement Zhaozhou replied Your mother is ugly Many koans in both the Blue Cliff Record and The Gateless Gate concern Zhaozhou with twelve cases in the former and five in the latter being attributed to him He is however probably best known for the first koan in The Gateless Gate A monk asked Chao chou Has the dog Buddha nature or not Chao chou said Wu 5 Bailin Temple in China famous for his abbacy was rebuilt after the Cultural Revolution and is nowadays again a prominent center of Chinese Buddhism 6 References Edit Dumoulin 167 Green xx Ibid a b Sullivan Matthew Juksan 2021 The Garden of Flowers and Weeds A New Translation and Commentary on the Blue Cliff Record Rhinebeck NY Monkfish Book Publishing Company pp xxiii ISBN 9781948626491 Dumoulin 167 Caifang Zhu 2003 Buddhism in China Today The Example of the Bai Lin Chan MonasterySources EditDumoulin Heinrich Zen Buddhism A History Volume 1 India and China Tr Heisig James W and Knitter Paul Bloomington Indiana World Wisdom 2005 Green James ed and tr The Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Joshu Boston Shambhala Publications 1998 ISBN 1 57062 870 X Hoffmann Yoel ed and tr Radical Zen The Sayings of Joshu Bantam press 1978 External links EditYang Fenggang Wei Dedong THE BAILIN BUDDHIST TEMPLE THRIVING UNDER COMMUNISM PDF archived from the original PDF on June 6 2010 Zhu Caifang 2003 Buddhism in China Today The Example of the Bai Lin Chan Monastery In Perspectives Volume 4 No 2 June 2003 PDF archived from the original PDF on 2010 09 29 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Zhaozhou Congshen amp oldid 1131344203, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
