禅Masters

Sansheng Huiran

Yangqi line

Sansheng Huiran

Unknown – c. 900

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Sansheng Huiran was a direct student of Linji Yixuan known for his fierce and uncompromising style, which rivaled even his teacher's famous intensity. In one celebrated exchange, Linji asked his students, "On this lump of red flesh there sits a True Person of No Rank, constantly going in and out through the gates of your face. Those who have not yet seen this, look, look!" Sansheng stepped forward and grabbed Linji, demanding, "What about the True Person of No Rank?" Linji pushed him away and said, "The True Person of No Rank—what a piece of dry excrement!"

This exchange, in which Sansheng was willing to physically seize his own teacher in pursuit of the truth, became a famous illustration of the spirit required for authentic Chan practice—a fearlessness that respects no authority, not even the teacher's, and demands direct contact with reality rather than reverent submission to convention. Sansheng's boldness was itself a demonstration of the freedom that Linji's teaching cultivated.

Names

dharma · enSansheng Huiran
alias · enSan-shêng Hui-jan
alias · enSanshô Enen

Teachers

Students

No linked student records yet.

Teachings

  • dialogueThe Blind Ass

    (traditional attribution)

    Sansheng asked Linji, "What is the meaning of the First Patriarch's coming from the West?" Linji said, "If he had any meaning, he could not even save himself." Sansheng said, "If he had no meaning, how did the Second Patriarch attain the Dharma?" Linji said, "Attaining is not attaining." Sansheng said, "If that is so, what is the meaning of your teaching for the past thirty years?" Linji said, "This blind ass!"

    Speaker: Sansheng Huiran, Respondent: Linji Yixuan

  • dialogueThe Golden Fish Through the Net

    (traditional attribution)

    When Linji was about to pass away, he said, "After I am gone, do not destroy my treasury of the true Dharma eye." Sansheng stepped forward and said, "How could I dare to destroy the master's treasury of the true Dharma eye?" Linji said, "If someone asks you about it in the future, what will you say?" Sansheng gave a great shout. Linji said, "Who would have thought that my treasury of the true Dharma eye would perish at the hands of this blind ass?" Sansheng said, "The golden-scaled fish has already passed through the net."

    Speaker: Sansheng Huiran, Respondent: Linji Yixuan

Master Record Sources