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Fazang

Type Figure Region China Time 643–712 Also known as Xianshou Fazang、Master Fazang、Third Patriarch of the Huayan School

Fazang (643–712), de facto founder and third patriarch of the Tang Huayan school;…

Timeline

  1. 643–659Chang'an · ShaanxiLay surname Kang, born in Chang'an to a Sogdian family descended from migrants from Khotan; ordained at sixteen, he first studied the Avatamsaka Sutra under Zhiyan at Yunhua Temple, burning a finger as an offering, winning Zhiyan's deep regard and laying the foundation of his Huayan learning.
  2. 659–690Chang'an · ShaanxiAfter Zhiyan's death he inherited the Huayan lineage, widely lecturing the Avatamsaka Sutra, writing the Exploring the Mystery and others, establishing the fivefold Huayan doctrinal classification and using the gold-lion analogy to expound dependent arising of the Dharma-realm, maturing the Huayan system.
  3. 690–712Luoyang · HenanUnder Wu Zetian he was titled State Preceptor Xianshou, presided over multiple Huayan assemblies in Luoyang and Chang'an, provided religious legitimation for the Wu Zhou regime, promoted circulation of the eighty-fascicle Avatamsaka Sutra, had disciples such as Huiyuan and Chengguan, and died in Chang'an in 712.

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