Immediate Great Work!

[Shi Da Dao]

Ch'an Master Heng Chuan Ru Gong [撗川行珙] (1222-1289 CE) stated:

"Transcend the ordinary and enter Sagehood here and now - so that you are not confused by the many delusive demons - as this is termed 'immediately completing the great work.' If the iron wheel is turning on the top of your head - you will never lose the perfect illumination of concentration and wisdom."

Heng Chuan Ru Gong (1222-1289) was a native of the Yongjia area of Zhejiang province. His family surname was 'Lin' (林). His Dharma Names were 'Heng Chuan' (撗川) and 'Xing Gong' (行珙). According to his (Paternal) Uncle - Heng Chuan left home and ordained as a Ch'an monk at the age of 15-years old. He visited Ling Yin (灵隐) Temple and trained under Master Shi Tian Fa Xun (石田法薰). He also trained under Master Mie Wang Wen Li (灭翁文礼) on Mount Tiantong (天童). During the fourth year of the reign of the Southern Song Dynasty Emperor - Xian Chun (咸淳) [1268 CE] - the Prime Minister admired the virtue of Heng Chuan and formally requested that he stay at the Ling Yin Temple (on Yandang Mountain). Then, in 1272 CE (the eighth year of the reign of Xian Chun) - Heng Chuan moved to the Neng Ren (能仁) Ch'an Temple. After this, he left the temples and sat in a remote grass-hut on the Yandong Mountainside. However, during 1279 CE, (the sixteenth year of the reign of Yuan Emperor Zhiyuan), an Imperial Edict was issued that ordered Master Heng Chuan to take-up an official appointment at Yu Wang (育王) Temple. His main work is entitled 'Quotations of Ch'an Master Heng Chuan Ru Gong' - which includes Chapters covering his Ch'an Teaching at the Ling Yin and Neng Ren Temples (the Neng Ren Temple is illustrated above).

横川如珙（1222--1289），浙江永嘉人，俗姓林，号横川，又称行珙。横川如珙十五岁依叔父正则禅师出家，曾参访灵隐寺石田法薰、天童山灭翁文礼。咸淳四年（1268），丞相钦仰其德，请住雁荡山灵岩禅寺。咸淳八年，迁往能仁禅寺。后退隐于雁荡山放牧寮。至元十六年（1279）奉敕住育王寺。著有《横川如珙禅师语录》，内收《住雁山灵岩寺语录》、《住雁山能仁寺语录》各一卷。