Dafang Xinghai 大方行海

School: Linji | 1604–1670 | Teacher: Fushi Tongxian

From Tongxiang in Jiaxing (surname Qian, mother Shen), born on the 7th of the 6th month of 1604. A hard boy who learned riding and archery at fourteen and meant to take a commission, he was turned by the sight of slaughter, went vegetarian, and at twenty-nine, on reading the Platform Sutra, abandoned his household and was tonsured at Jingshan under Wuyi. He was struck open by Miyun Yuanwu at Tiantong ('I do not know how to practise either'), was ordained by him in 1634, and after three years of labour broke through on striking a pillar. He was invited out to the Chandeng hermitage at Loujiang in 1669 and died on the 5th of the 2nd month of 1670, aged 67.

References: DILA Authority A012051

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