Dayu Shouzhi

Dayu Shouzhi was a Tang dynasty Chan master whose most significant role in the tradition was as a catalyst for Linji Yixuan's awakening. When Linji, at Huangbo's instruction, visited Dayu and described how Huangbo had struck him three times for asking about the fundamental meaning of Buddhism, Dayu exclaimed, "That old grandmotherly Huangbo—he was only trying to help you!" At these words, Linji experienced a deep awakening.

Linji then struck Dayu three times, and Dayu said, "Your teacher is Huangbo—it's nothing to do with me." This exchange established the pattern that would define Linji's teaching: the blow as the moment of intimate contact between teacher and student, and the recognition that awakening is catalyzed through the direct encounter rather than through doctrinal explanation. Dayu's role, though brief, was indispensable in the birth of the Linji tradition.