The Research On The Zen Teaching Of Master Wuzhunshifan

In the Southern Song Dynasty, multiple regimes existed simultaneously, in addition, powerful minister was the virtual ruler of the powers. Although internal and external problems continued, economic and cultural development of the Southern Song Dynasty still showed a scene of prosperity, owing to the superior business location and farming environment. And Zen is a part of the mainstream culture of this period in the ascendant. Following Zen was differentiated, the Rinzai(临济宗)had developed best in the Southern Song Dynasty. Among numerous factions, one faction which headed by Huqiushaolong(虎丘绍隆)stretched the oldest. Wuzhunshifan (无准师范),who was the fifth master of this faction, had the profound influence both at home and abroad, and he is known as "the dean of the Southern Song Dynasty Buddhist community".Reference to the relevant historical data and literature, this thesis was divided into five chapters to research and discuss Wuzhunshifan. They were the historical background, his life stories, his thbughts heritage, his Buddhist concept on harmony, as well as his profound impact.Wuzhunshifan (1177-1249), he was a heir of Poanzuxian(破庵祖先).He became a monk when he was nine, and he was understood thoroughly at twenty-four, then recommended as abbot of Jingshan Temple at fifty-six. In the end, he was die when he was sixty-three. His thoughts was no obvious difference with the previous both the ontology and Mind nature theory of Zen, there were several explanatory notes about two relationships,that one was body and phenomena’ in this world, and the other one was the identity of human’s heart and Buddha. This trend represented the great fusion of Buddhism in the Song Dynasty, and it’s also a tradition of Rinzai Dhyana. Wuzhunshifan proposed "Xiexin"(歇心)，to let each person feel his or her own heart, then understand the concept of Zhongdao(中道观).Besides, he had a more excellent temple management skills, because he could rationally deal all kinds of relations with the persons, especially who would offer material or spiritual help in Buddhist development. After two fire trails, Jingshan Temple(径山寺)even had become more prosperous.The whole life of Wuzhunshifan had his special contributions, such as promoting the development of Huqiu Dhyana(虎丘禅),ensuring the stretch of Rinzai Dhyana, and also influencing the Japanese Zen and culture deeply. In a word, he should leave an indelible mark in the history of the whole Zen. So researching and discussing Wuzhunshifan’s life stories and meditation also could glimpse the whole situation of Zen in Southern Song Dynasty.