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Huineng

Type Figure Region China Time 638–713 Also known as Sixth Patriarch Huineng、Huineng of Caoxi、Sixth Patriarch Master

Huineng (638–713), sixth patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism and founder of the Southern School, taught sudden enlightenment and direct pointing to th…

Timeline

  1. 638–661Xinzhou · GuangdongBorn in Xinzhou in Lingnan to an exiled father's impoverished family, he worked as a woodcutter and rice pounder. While delivering firewood to an inn he heard a guest reciting the Diamond Sutra, at the line 'give rise to a mind that does not abide anywhere,' and resolved to seek the Dharma; he later pounded rice for eight years under the Fifth Patriarch Hongren at Huangmei.
  2. 661–676Huangmei · HubeiAt Hongren's place he composed the verse 'Bodhi originally has no tree,' was secretly entrusted with the robe and bowl as sixth patriarch of Chan. On the journey south he evaded pursuit by the Northern School and hid in Lingnan for fifteen years, studied under Yinzong, and gained wide fame at Faxing Temple through the debate over the wind and the banner.
  3. 676–713Baolin Temple, Caoxi · GuangdongHe taught for thirty-seven years at Baolin Temple in Caoxi, Shaoguan, founding the Southern School's style of sudden enlightenment. Among his disciples were Shenhu, Fahi, and Zhitong; his sayings were compiled as the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch. He passed away at Baolin Temple in 713.

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