Chan Masters

Bodhidharma (d. 536A.D.) was from the Brahman caste ofSouth Indiaand honored as the 28th Patriarch of Buddhism. At the temple, Bodhidharma had meditated in a small cave of theWuruPeakfor nine years and introduced Chan tradition intoShaolinTemple. He was revered as the first Patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism.

 Huike (487-593, secular surname: Yi) was also known as Sengke and Shenguang, born in Hulao, Luoyang City(northeast of modern Xingyang City, Henan Province). He studied with Bodhidharma and succeeded Bodhidharma to become the Second Patriarch of Chan Buddhism. On the southeastern mountain nearby Shaolin Temple are the Second Patriarch Temple and Arm-healing Terrace. 

 Faru (638-689, secular name: Wang), was born in the Shangdang area (modern Changzhi City, Shanxi Province). He studied with the Fifth Patriarch Hongren for sixteen years and acquired a thorough understanding of Chan Buddhism. Later, Faru lived and preached Dharma teaching in Shaolin Temple, and contributed a lot to the development of Shaolin Temple as the Chan origin. He died at age 52 in 689 at Shaolin Temple. Afterwards, disciples of the temple had built a pagoda for Fau.

Fuyu (1203-1275, style name: Haowen, pseudonym: Xueting) was a venerable Chan master of Caodong Sect in the early Yuan Dynasty. In 1245, Fuyu was appointed by the first Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan as the abbot of Shaolin Temple before the former took the throne. Master Fuyu, as the abbot of Shaolin Temple, introduced Caodong doctrines and brought unprecedented prosperity to the temple. He died in 1275 at age 73 and was buried in the Pagoda Forest.

On May 21, 2010 (the eighth day of the fourth month in Chinese lunar calendar), Shaolin Temple, the Origin of Chan Sect, is going to have the annual Buddha Bathing Assembly to celebrate the Wesak Day or the Buddha’s Birthday. Conducted by Shaolin Abbot Shi Yongxin, Shaolin monks as well as lay Buddhists and tourists from home and abroad will then bathe the Statue of Prince Siddhartha Gautama with flowers and water and enjoy the bliss of the Dharma.

Xi’an (1284-1340, Dharma name: Yirang, style name: Xi’an, Dharma name: Yirang) was a famous Chan master during the Yuan Dynasty. He had presided over Songshan Fawan Temple, Kongxiang Temple, Lingyan Temple etc. Later Xi’an was invited to preside over Shaolin Temple and renovate the monastery. He passed away at age 57 in 1340. Japanese monk Shaoyuan wrote an inscription “Master Xi’an’s Record Inscription”. 

Shaoyuan (style name: Guyuan, secular surname: Yuan) came to China from Japan in 1327 and visited a lot distinguished monks. Two years later, he travelled to Shaolin Temple and stayed in the Second Patriarch Temple for twenty-one years. During that time, Shaoyuan acted as secretary of the monastery and wrote for Xi’an’s Record Inscription as well as Master Ju’an’s Epigraph. He and hundreds of prominent monks nationwide were selected and assigned to translate the Tripitaka in the imperial palace. He returned to Japan in 1347.

Xiaoshan (1500-1568, Dharma name: Zongshu, style name: Dazhang, Pseudonym: Xiaoshan) was one of great Chan masters during the Ming Dynasty. Before he took the position as Shaolin Abbot, he had studied with previous abbot Yuezhou for eight years and preached Chan Buddhism at numerous monasteries. Xiaoshan was inaugurated as abbot in 1557 by an edict of the imperial court. As the abbot of Shaolin Temple, he presided over large Dharma gatherings to rejuvenate the Caodong School at Shaolin Temple, and also raised funds to renovate the temple and rebuild the First Patriarch Temple. During the fight against pirates in the Ming Dynasty, Shaolin warrior monks dispatched by then Abbot Xiaoshan defeated the pirates at several battles and enjoyed popular acclaim for their victorious achievements. Xiaoshan retreated from his position in 1566 and passed away at age 68 in 1568.

Yuekong was a noted Kungfu monk during the Ming Dynasty. Ancient records show that Shaolin Kungfu monk Yuekong received an official call to fight against pirates in the southeastern coastline. He led a troop of 30-plus warrior monks and defeated a lot pirates, but died in an ambush to save captives taken by pirates. Their story has been written in the history of Shaolin warrior monks’ fight against pirates. 

Haikuang (d.1666, style name: Hanyu, Pseudonym: Bi’an) was born in Neiqiu County, Zhili (modern Neiqiu County, Hebei Province). He had twice assumed the position of Shaolin Abbot and made great efforts to revive the Chan origin for twelve years. Haikuang passed away in 1666.