THIS SITE IS A BODHIMANDALA TO MASTER XU YUN..

[Shi Da Dao]

This site serves as a memorial for Ch'an master Xu Yun (1840-1959), who was the last great Ch'an master living on mainland China, prior to the Communist Revolution (in 1949), and who continued to propagate the Dharma under severe conditions, until his death in 1959. It also serves to honour the memory of Richard Hunn (Upasaka Wen Shu), who passed away on October 1st, 2006.

Not only did master Xu Yun revive the five schools of Ch'an during the last days of imperial China, he also worked tirelessly for the restoration of formerly great monasteries. He was very much a 'self-made man' and had to rely soley upon his own efforts in his spiritual endeavours to literally 'rediscover' the wisdom of the ancients and thus breathe new life into the old teachings. Despite his fame as a true Ch'an master, he always lived as a simple monk, often without food or lodgings, as he walked from place to place. Such was the poor state of the Dharma at this time, that he was often turned-away from some Buddhist establishments. However, his phsyical existence seems to have been one of 'transcendence' in all circumstance, from being ruffed-up by Singaporean Police in 1916, to being severely beaten in 1952 by Communist cadres. At no time did he ever depart from the Mind Ground, despite what was happening on the outer or mundane level. Nor did he leave China during the political upheavals of the 1950's, but instead decided to stay for the betterment of the Dharma and the benefit of all beings.

'The Master (Xu Yun) cared greatly for lay-Buddhists, too, and he was progressive for the way in which he opened up the temple doors to layfolk, teaching them alongside Sangha members. He made much of the pu-shuo or 'free sermon' and addressed all who came to him. Though a monk for 101 years, he never pretended that the Dharma was beyond the reach of layfolk.'(Empty Cloud - Translated by Charles Luk & Edited by Richard Hunn - Page xii-xiii)

Richard dedicated his life to the study of Ch'an, and was himself a student of Charles Luk (Upasaka Lu Kuan Yu). He also, actively worked to keep the many translations of Charles Luk, in print, so that others might benefit from their wisdom. Charles Luk, was, of course, a student of master Xu Yun. This website was Richard Hunn's idea.

The picture at the top of this page was taken at Nan-hua Su (monastery) in 1949, and features master Xu Yun and four of his disciples; from left to right - Chu K'uan-ching, Pen-huai, Xu Yun, Hui-chang, and Miao-yun. Ven. Miao-yun was executed in 1951, by Communist thugs.

Please make use of all the material.

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Peace in the Dharma

Thank you.

[Shi Da Dao]

Both Richard Hunn (Wen Shu) and Charles Luk (Lu Kuan Yu) taught Ch'an from the Mind Ground. That is, just as master Xu Yun never strayed from the Mind Ground in the outer presentation of his physical life or Ch'an teaching, both Richard and Charles always taught Ch'an from a non-structured perspective. Outer structures of society, often themselves a product of short-sighted dogmatism and lack of insight, were literally by-passed by an uncompromising insistence that only the Mind Ground be the beginning and the end of Ch'an training.

Simply put, each student must rely upon his or her Mind Ground, regardless of differences in life circumstance. Rich or poor, ordained monastic or worldly lay-person, male or female. The phenomenal waves of existence being considered nothing more than passing illusions. Only the Mind Ground, underlying as it does, the entire samsaric dance, as it passes in front of our senses, remains a target for the Ch'an adept. This aspect of being 'beyond being', is referred to as the 'host' in the Surangama Sutra, as opposed to the 'guest' position which includes all passing phenomena.

The masters of the five schools taught openly with any method that worked at the time, for the student that was being helped. Master Lin Ji did not teach only the 'koan' method, and masters Dong and Cao did not teach only the seated meditation method. We all represent differing phenomenal circumstances and unique karmic paths. The Ch'an master expertly 'frees' us from our karmic entanglements. But essentially, the student is responsible for freeing themselves - the master simply provides the key that unlocks the blocked doors of perception. There is no master, and there is no student in the ultimate position. On a mundane level, inspired by compassion, we serve as masters to some, and students to others. This ensures that the flow of energy (qi) is never still or stagnant.

This is the Ch'an path passed on by master Xu Yun to Charles Luk and Richard Hunn. It has no structure because it is the essence of all structures. It has no discernable beginning, and no obvious end. There is no fixed 'method', but many methods are offered in master Xu Yun's Dharma Words found on this forum. We, as individuals must find the method that suits us the best.

Peace in the Dharma.