Muzhou Daoming
Muzhou Daoming
780 – 877
Muzhou Daoming (睦州道明, 780–877), also known as Chen Zunsu (陳尊宿) after the sandal-weaving lay-name he kept on after monastic retirement, was a Dharma heir of Huangbo Xiyun and one of the most demanding teachers of the late-Tang generation[1]. After many years at Kaiyuan Temple in Muzhou (modern Zhejiang) and a period of teaching activity, he retired into the city to weave straw sandals which he distributed anonymously to the poor — the practice from which his "Sandalweaver" nickname derives[2].
Muzhou is best remembered as the master who broke open Yunmen Wenyan's training. The lamp records preserve the celebrated three-visits episode: when Yunmen came seeking instruction, Muzhou shut the gate on him on the first two visits; on the third Muzhou caught Yunmen's leg in the gate as he shut it, and in the shock of pain Yunmen had his decisive opening, after which Muzhou sent him on to Xuefeng Yicun to complete his training[3]. The episode is preserved in the *Yunmen Yulu*, Urs App's *Master Yunmen* anthology, and the lamp records[4].
Names
Teachers and lineage of Muzhou Daoming
Teacher / root master:
Teachings
- dialogueThe Door-Kicking Master
Muzhou Daoming was famous for his abrupt methods. When a monk arrived at the monastery gate, Muzhou would call out from inside, "Who is it?" When the monk answered, Muzhou would shout, "Wrong!" and slam the door. Yunmen came to study with Muzhou and knocked at the gate three times. Each time Muzhou opened the gate a crack and then slammed it. On the third day, when Yunmen knocked, Muzhou opened the gate, seized Yunmen, and demanded: "Speak! Speak!" As Yunmen hesitated, Muzhou shoved him out and slammed the gate on his leg. Yunmen cried out in pain—and in that moment was awakened.
- dialogueSending Linji to Huangbo
When Linji Yixuan came to study with Muzhou, Muzhou recognized his potential but directed him elsewhere. He said to Linji: "You have some understanding, but you have not yet reached the bottom. Go to Huangbo—his style of teaching may break through what my style cannot." Linji said, "How will I know when I have reached the bottom?" Muzhou said, "When you stop asking questions like that."
Other masters in Linji
Master Record Sources
780-877
Muzhou Daoming
Linji
- koan_refsChart of the Chan Ancestors
10
- datesZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
780-877
- nameZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Muzhou Daoming
- teachersZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Huangbo Xiyun