Of the Xu clan of Fengling in western Shu, a family of Confucian scholars; born on the fifteenth day of the twelfth month of 1638. Precocious — at six he could recite and explain the Confucian classics. At ten he was tonsured alongside Wanfeng Shan and served Qingzhong Tiebi Huiji; the two novices were famous in the assembly for their quick tongues and their verses. Told by Qingzhong to make a verse on a lamp, he answered on the spot: 'Bright as a lightning flash, it can pierce the void; a lamp in time to come — is it bronze, or iron?' He was ordained at Chongsheng, went to Wuyun, and returned to his master, who wrote him a transmission verse. He kept the record-keeper's office and attended Qingzhong for twenty-one years, and on his death succeeded to the seat. He later moved to Fangguang and to Lengyan in Zhejiang. He died on the twelfth day of the third month of 1707, aged 70, and was entombed to the right of Qingzhong's stupa. Thirty-three monks and eighteen laymen received his dharma.
References: DILA Authority A000153
View interactive profile →