Definition
Reading: Fuketsu Enshō / Reading (ZH): Fēngxué Yánzhǎo
Fengxue Yanzhao (風穴延沼) was a Zen monk who was active from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period to the early Northern Song Dynasty. He is known as the Fourth Patriarch and the restorer of the Linji school who built the foundation for its prosperity.
Origin: Yuhang (present-day Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province)
Training: He studied under Jingqing Shundi (Jingqing Daofu) in Yuezhou, Shoulang Shangzuo at Huayan Temple in Yingzhou, and Nanyuan Huiyong (Baoying Huiyong) in Ruzhou.
Awakening: He achieved deep awakening through the guidance of Nanyuan.
Teachings: 臨機直須大用現前 (When facing a moment, one should immediately show the great function of Zen and not stick to small details).
Legacy: He passed down the Dharma lineage of the Linji school, which was almost lost during the war period. He raised excellent successors and paved the way for the great prosperity of the Linji school.
Death: On the afternoon of August 4, 993, he died at the age of 68. He left a verse to say goodbye and passed away peacefully while sitting. He was cremated and his relics were enshrined.
Posthumous Title: -
Stupa Name: -
Notes: Nanyuan Huiyong called him "Huangmian Xizi" (a yellow-faced man from Zhejiang).
Source volumes: 『景徳傳燈録』 卷十三
Q&A
- Q: Why is Fengxue Yanzhao considered a very important figure in the history of the Linji (Rinzai) school?
- A: Because he inherited the Dharma lineage of Linji, which was almost broken during the severe wars from the late Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He raised excellent successors such as Shoushan Shengnian and built the foundation for the great prosperity of the Linji school.
