Lay surname Feng. Ordained young, studied the Lotus Sutra, Vijnaptimatratasiddhi and Awakening of Faith under a Mr. Bishang of Daliang; took full ordination at 38 under Duanheshang of Luoyang, then studied vinaya under Nanquan Hongjing. Went to Yuquan monastery in Jingzhou to study under Datong Shenxiu for six or seven years, mastering his method. In Kaiyuan 13 (725) entered Jing'ai monastery in Luoyang by imperial summons; in 727 followed the emperor to Chang'an and resided at Xingtang monastery, becoming the effective head of the Northern School after Shenxiu's death.
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