Miweng Wenli 滅翁文禮

School: Linji | 1167–1250 | Teacher: Songyuan Chongyue | Students: Hengchuan Rugong

From Lin'an in Hangzhou (surname Ruan), whose family lived at the foot of Mount Tianmu — whence his other name. Tonsured at sixteen by Zhiyue of the Zhenxiang monastery, he went to Hunyuan Tanmi at Jingci without result, then to Foizhao Deguang at Ayuwang, who questioned him on the flag and the wind and approved him. But hearing that Songyuan Chongyue was teaching Ying'an's dharma at Jianfu in Rao — and that in his room he drove monks out with the stick at the first hesitation — Wenli suddenly let go of all he understood, went to him, and 'obtained Songyuan's house-dharma, and so became his heir.' He opened at Huiyun in Lin'an in 1212 and held Guangshou, Nengren, Fuquan, Jingci and finally Tiantong. He was learned in the Yijing and exchanged words with Zhu Xi and Yang Jianhu. He died on the 10th of the 10th month of 1250, aged 84.

References: DILA Authority A009677

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