The Recorded Sayings of Chan Master Fenyang Wude

Book excerpt: The eminent Song Dynasty Chan Master Fenyang Shanzhao (947-1024 CE) had the distinction of an entry in the canonical Jingde Chuandeng Lu, (Records of the Transmission of the Lamp) whilst still alive. Here the master’s sayings, encounters with monks and poetry speak extensively for themselves, as recorded by his Dharma-heir, Shishuang Chuyuan (986-1039 CE). Contained in these first two of three fascicles are some of the earliest gong’an (koans) from the Chan School, as well as the first mention of the famous Five Ranks teachings from the Caodong lineage. the recorded sayings of chan master fenyang lion of the west river Vol: 1 translated by randolph s. whitfield Randolph S. Whitfield studied Classical Guitar and Piano at Trinity College of Music, London and Chinese Language and Literature at Leiden University. He lives in Holland with his wife Mariana.