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Yuanwu Keqin

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Linji

Yuanwu Keqin

1063 – 1135

Lineage of Yuanwu KeqinLinji school

Yuanwu Keqin (圜悟克勤, 1063–1135) was the principal Dharma heir of Wuzu Fayan and the foremost Yangqi-line Linji master of the early Southern Song[1]. He held abbacies at the major Linji monasteries of his generation, including Jiashan-si and Lingyin-si, and received the imperial title *Yuanwu Chánshī* from Emperor Gaozong[2].

His most enduring contribution is the *Bìyán Lù* (碧巖錄, "Blue Cliff Record"): taking Xuedou Chongxian's earlier collection of one hundred cases with their verse-commentaries, Yuanwu added his own *chuíshì* (introductions), *zhuó-yǔ* (capping phrases), and prose commentaries on both case and verse, creating the multi-layered text that became the canonical koan collection of late-imperial East Asian Chan and Japanese Rinzai[3]. The *Bìyán Lù* was lecture-form initially and was compiled by his students; Yuanwu also wrote letters and Dharma-talks collected in the *Xīntángjí* and the *Yuánwù Yǔlù*[4].

Names

dharma · enYuanwu Keqin
alias · enEngo Kokugon
alias · enYüan-wu K'ê-ch'in

Disciples of Yuanwu Keqin 3 named

Teachers and lineage of Yuanwu Keqin

Teacher / root master:

  • Wuzu FayanRoot teacher / master · c. 1024 – c. 1104

Full lineage of Yuanwu Keqin →

Works

  • Blue Cliff RecordBlue Cliff Record (Bìyán Lù)

    Song

    A Song-dynasty kōan collection: 100 cases originally selected and versed by Xuedou Chongxian (980–1052), each surrounded by Yuanwu's pointer, capping phrases, and prose commentary (compiled c. 1125). Its dense layering of citation and poetry is the model for the entire kōan-commentary genre. Reportedly burned by Yuanwu's heir Dahui Zonggao to discourage formulaic study, then reconstructed in 1300.

    tr. Thomas Cleary & J. C. Cleary, The Blue Cliff Record, Shambhala 1977 (3 vols.)

Teachings

  • proverbThe Undivided Field

    (traditional attribution)

    A single phrase can block off ten thousand gates. A single glance can open the whole field. Where is the one not yet divided? Answer before you open your mouth.

    tr. Zen Lineage editorial

    Yuanwu Keqin

  • proverbPivoting on the Jewel-Mirror

    (traditional attribution)

    All hundred koans pivot on the jewel-mirror. Each koan is a different angle of the same light; you do not need to collect them all to see what is shown.

    tr. Zen Lineage editorial

    Yuanwu Keqin

  • proverbPointer and Verse

    (traditional attribution)

    Xuedou wrote the verse. I add the pointer. The pointer is for the student who has not yet noticed where to look; the verse is for the student who has been looking too long.

    tr. Zen Lineage editorial

    Yuanwu Keqin

  • proverbIncense Stick on the Iron Anvil

    (traditional attribution)

    An incense stick struck against an iron anvil sends up no smoke worth speaking of. Yet a single sneeze in the meditation hall is talked about for years. Why? Because the sneeze was honest.

    tr. Zen Lineage editorial

    Yuanwu Keqin

  • proverbPassing On

    (traditional attribution)

    I passed the dharma to Dahui as one passes a lit candle in a windy hall. The candle does not belong to me, and once it is lit in his hand, it does not belong to him either.

    tr. Zen Lineage editorial

    Yuanwu Keqin

  • proverbPivot Word

    (traditional attribution)

    There is a pivot word at the heart of every koan. Find it, and the rest of the case turns easily. Miss it, and the case becomes a stone in your pocket.

    tr. Zen Lineage editorial

    Yuanwu Keqin

Other masters in Linji

Master Record Sources

  • birth datehigh — multiple authoritative sources
  • death datehigh — multiple authoritative sources
  • schoolmedium — one authoritative source

7 supporting citations on record (see Sources above).

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