Huanglong Huinan
Huanglong Huinan
1002 – 1069
Huanglong Huinan (黃龍慧南, 1002–1069) was a Dharma heir of Shishuang Chuyuan and the founder of the Huanglong (黃龍) sub-house of the Linji school, one of the two main sub-lineages — alongside Yangqi — into which the Song-period Linji line divided[1]. He settled at Mount Huanglong in modern Jiangxi, where his community attracted a generation of leading students; his Dharma was carried on through Huitang Zuxin, Hui'an Zhenru, and many others into the next century[2].
His teaching is best remembered for the "Three Barriers of Huanglong" (黃龍三關), three test questions he routinely put to advanced students: "Everyone has a place of birth — where is yours?", "My hand is like the Buddha's hand — how so?", and "My foot is like a donkey's foot — what does this mean?"[3] The Huanglong line was the first Linji-sub-house transmitted to Japan, by Myōan Eisai in 1191, and its impact in Korea ran through Goryeo-period Seon — though within China itself it was eventually overshadowed by the Yangqi sub-house, which produced Wuzu Fayan, Yuanwu Keqin, and Dahui Zonggao[4].
Names
Disciples of Huanglong Huinan
Teachers and lineage of Huanglong Huinan
Teacher / root master:
Teachings
- dialogueHuanglong's Three Barriers
Huanglong asked every student who came to him three questions: "Everyone has a place of birth—where is your place of birth?" "My hand is like the hand of Buddha—what is the hidden meaning?" "My foot is like the foot of a donkey—what is the secret?" No student could answer all three. Huanglong said, "If you cannot pass through these three barriers, your practice is like a tree without roots, your sitting is like water poured on stone."
Other masters in Linji
Master Record Sources
1002-69
Huanglong Huinan
Linji
- nameZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Huanglong Huinan
- teachersZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Shishuang Chuyuan