Longtan Chongxin

Longtan Chongxin was a student of Tianhuang Daowu and the teacher of Deshan Xuanjian. Before entering monastic life, he was a simple rice-cake seller who lived near Tianhuang's monastery. Through daily contact and penetrating exchanges with Tianhuang, he gradually awakened to the Dharma without formal academic training, exemplifying the Chan principle that awakening does not depend on learning.

Longtan's most famous teaching moment occurred with Deshan, who had come south as a scripture scholar to refute the Southern School's claim of direct awakening. During an evening exchange, Deshan asked for more light. Longtan lit a paper candle and handed it to him, then immediately blew it out. In that moment of sudden darkness, Deshan experienced a profound awakening. This encounter—in which the extinction of outward light revealed inner illumination—is one of the most celebrated moments in Chan literature.