Shaolin Temple - Caodong Lineage

[Shi Da Dao]

Shaolin Temple - 'Yonghua' Temple!

Although the Shaolin Temple is famous, and quite rightly so, the 'Caodong' Ch'an Buddhist Lineage it preserves and transmits belongs not only to the whole of China - but to the entirety of humanity! Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) inherited and transmitted all five Ch'an lineages - but his 'root' lineage was the 'Caodong' School (which he transmitted to numerous lay and monastic practitioners - including Charles Luk [1898-1978]). The 'Caodong' Lineage - although transmitted to Japan as the 'Soto' School - is also separate and distinct (not being influenced by Japanese culture, Japanese militarism, or the incorrect idea that Buddhist monastics do not have to follow the Vinaya Discipline). Of course, from the Japanese position none of this is relevant - and so the material reality of the world is confirmed as being 'relative'! Besides, it has been pointed-out to me that many Soto 'Zen' practitioners in Japan voluntarily uphold the Vinaya Discipline and show respect to the 'Caodong' Lineage of China. Whatever the case, lay it all down and directly penetrate the empty mind ground.