Yuanwu Keqin (original) (raw)

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Chan Buddhist monk and intellect

Yuanwu Keqin
Title monk
Personal
Born 1063China
Died 1135
Religion Buddhism
Nationality Han Chinese
School Chan Buddhism
Senior posting
Successor Dahui Zonggao

Yuanwu Keqin (Chinese: 圓悟克勤; pinyin: Yuánwù Kèqín; Wade–Giles: Yuan-wu K'e-ch'in; Japanese: Engo Kokugon) (1063–1135) was a Han Chinese Chan monk who compiled the Blue Cliff Record.[1]

Yuanwu Keqin was born into the Le family of Pengzhou, Sichuan, in 1063. His family was well educated in Confucianism, a sign of acquaintance with the Chinese civil service.[2] Nevertheless, Yuanwu Keqin choose a Buddhist monastic path and entered Miaoji Monastery (Chinese: 妙寂禪院; pinyin: Miàojì Chányuàn,a Buddhist monastery in Pengzhou. He ended his formal studies under Wuzu Fayan (1047-1104) when he was in his forties.[2] Yuanwu Keqin was closely involved in the literati circles.[3]

Yuanwu Keqin belonged to the Linji school. He was the teacher of Dahui Zonggao, who introduced the Hua Tou practice.[4]

Starting from the year 1112 on, Yuan-wu started to lecture on the One Hundred Old Cases and Verses [to the Cases][5] compiled by Xuedou Zhongxian (980–1052). These lectures resulted in the Blue Cliff Record.[6][1]

The Blue Cliff Record gives clear instructions about the correct approach to kōan. Yuanwu went as far as to annotate the poems line by line[7] to make clear the correct reading of Xuedou's appended verses,[6] which are complex, because of the rich use of symbolism and the allusions to Chinese secular literature and to Chan history.[7]

According to the Chán-tradition, the Blue Cliff Record gained such a popularity, that Dahui Zonggao burned all the copies he could lay hands on, and the wooden printing blocks.[4]

  1. ^ a b Cleary & Cleary 1994.
  2. ^ a b Hsieh 1994, p. 73.
  3. ^ Hsieh 1994, p. 74.
  4. ^ a b Schlütter 2008.
  5. ^ Hsieh 1994, p. 72.
  6. ^ a b Hsieh 1994, p. 76.
  7. ^ a b Hsieh 1994, p. 77.