Song Dynasty Linji Zen development and evolution

Author: Yan Mengxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: This article aims to study the different forms and reasons for the development and evolution of Linji Chan thought during the Song Dynasty. A fundamental direction in the development and evolution of Linji Chan thought in the Song Dynasty is very clear: it gradually evolved from emphasizing Chan gong (Zen paradox) in the era of Yi Xuan to emphasizing rational explanation, practice, discipline, and a clear direction for practice. Chan Buddhism, with Linji Chan as its typical representative, undoubtedly saw the best inheritance of Huineng's Southern Chan in the Linji sect. After the mid-Northern Song Dynasty, Linji Chan had become the main sect of Southern Chan, and even by the Yuan and Ming dynasties and later, there was the saying, "Three parts of all temples are Caodong, and seven parts are Linji." Linji sect can almost be said to have become the synonym for Chan Buddhism. Therefore, studying Linji sect is an important step in deeply researching Chan Buddhism, and also a part of deeply researching Chinese culture. The study of Chan, and even Buddhism, is a methodologically elusive issue. As academic research, scientificity and seeking truth from facts are the fundamental principles to be followed. Although "seeking truth from facts" is also influenced by basic cognition, with a fundamental starting point of seeking truth from facts, one can gradually resolve the understanding of the object.