China: Mahakasyapa & Xu Yun - Mount Ji Zu - Yunnan

[Shi Da Dao]

Translator's Note: Depending upon when the Buddha lived (9th century or 6th century BCE) - Mahakasyapa (the 1st Indian Dhyana Patriarch) is believed to have visited China. This could have been between 1400-1000 years before Bodhidharma (the 28th Indian Patriarch of Dhyana) arrived in China during 520 CE. Indeed, if 50 years is allotted as the average life-span for each of the Indian Patriarchs - then the number of 1400 years is arrived at - surely giving credence to the earlier date for the Buddha's life-time (namely 1029/28-949/48 BCE - or 80 years) as preserved within the Chinese Buddhist tradition. This fact is seldom mentioned in Western accounts of Chinese Buddhist history. ACW (21.3.2024)





In the 15th year (1889) and 28th year (1902) of the reign of Qing Dynasty Emperor Guangxu - Master Xu Yun visited Mount Ji Zu (鸡足) - "Chicken Foot Mountain" - to pay homage to the Holy Site associated with Venerable Mahakasyapa [摩诃迦叶 - Mo He Jia Ye](the 1st Indian Patriarch of Dhyana) who had visited China and entered Samadhi at the "Magnificent Head" (华首 - Hua Shou) Gate.

Ji Zu Mountain at that time, particularly in the major temples, was corrupt and did not follow the Dharma in a correct manner (guided by the Vinaya Discipline). Monks married or sired children with single women - and their descendants inherited land and property - becoming "landlords" just like ordinary people. The monks and monasteries throughout the mountain were thoroughly corrupted, so that the monasteries were completely ruined.

These corrupt monks were evil and had even started a tradition which forbade non-descendants from moving into or living upon Mount Ji Zu Mountain. When Master Xu Yun learned of this disgrace - he made a great determination to build a thatched-hut on the mountain so that he could receive genuine monks and rebuild the community through correct Dharma-practice. However, when the corrupt monks heard of this intention, Master Xu Yun was strongly opposed and was forced to leave the mountain.

In 1904, Li Fuxing (李福兴) - the Governor of Dali - invited Xu Yun (虚云) to give a lecture at Chong Sheng (崇圣) Temple on the "Lotus Sutra" (法华经 - Fa Hua Jing) - and to become the "Head Monk" (住持 - Zhu Chi). Ch'an Master Xu Yun declined this request, however, informing Li Fuxing that he did not which to live in the city. Instead, Xu Yun much preferred to obtain control of a piece of land upon Mount Ji Zu - from which he could co-ordinate the rebuilding of the Temple (Ashram) of the 1st Indian Patirarch of Dhyana - Mahakasyapa. Li Fuxing passed this request to the Magistrate of Binchuan Prefecture. The Magistrate of Binchuan Prefecture arranged for Xu Yun to be granted control of an old and dilapidated Temple which was remote, uninhabited, collapsing, and had a leaking roof. This place was called "Ying Xiang" (迎祥) Temple - also known as "Bo Yu An" (钵盂庵) - located near Jiaqing. Master Xu Yun was happy to enter this desolate place despite its ramshackle appearance.

After Xu Yun moved into Ying Xiang Temple (situated on Mount Ji Zu), he changed the bad habits of monks and reformed their poor behaviour. The monks had to replace their lay-clothing for the correct robes, and had to start working in the fields, meditating and listening to Dharma lectures. These monks had to give-up ALL relationships with the lay-world and follow ALL the rules (including celibacy and rejecting money) contained within the Vinaya Discipline and the Bodhisattva Vows. Thousands of people came to seek the Precepts from Xu Yun and take Refuge in the Triple Gem.

Chinese Language Text:

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