Definition
Reading: Kyozan Ejaku / Gyozan Ejaku / Reading (ZH): Yǎngshān Huìjì
仰山慧寂 (Yangshan Huiji) is a Zen monk of the Tang Dynasty. He wanted to become a monk at the age of fifteen, but his parents did not agree. At the age of seventeen, he cut off two of his fingers to show his strong will. Then, he became a novice monk at Nanhua Temple. He received the precepts and studied the Vinaya. He studied under the master 耽源応真 (Danyuan Yingzhen). Later, he studied under the master 潙山霊祐 (Guishan Lingyou). They formed a school of Zen called 潙仰宗 (the Guiyang school). He often used the enso as a tool for teaching. This method came from 南陽慧忠 (Nanyuan Huizhong) to Danyuan, and then to Yangshan.
Q&A
- Q: Why did he study the Vinaya (the book of monastic discipline)?
- A: Because it was to solidify the basic disciplines and the foundation of his practice as a Buddhist. Receiving the precepts and studying the Vinaya deeply became the bedrock for his strict ascetic life as a Zen monk and for providing clear ethical guidance when instructing his disciples.
