Yuanwu Keqin

Yuanwu Keqin. (J. Engo Kokugon; K. Wŏno Kŭkkŭn 圜悟克勤) (1062–1135). Chinese Chan master of the Linji school. Also known as Wuzhuo and Foguo.

The Digital Dictionary of Buddhism states:

Song period Chan monk, originally from the Sichuan region, a member of the Linji 臨濟 tradition. Ordained as a youth at 妙寂院. After his full ordainment, he engaged in an extensive study of the scriptures in Chengdu 成都 under the tutelage of Yuanming 圓明. Later on he became known (along with Huiqin 慧懃 and Qingyuan 淸遠) as one of the three great disciples of Fayan 法演, who recognized his attainment of enlightenment. He continued to be well known for his mastery of Huayan and Chan, and received the title Chan Master of the Buddha-Fruit 佛果禪師. He was also known by the name Yuanwu 圜悟, and is often referred to in Chan literature as 圜悟克勤.

Toward the end of his life he retired to 昭覺寺 in Chengdu, where he passed away at the age of seventy-three, receiving the posthumous title of Zhenjue chanshi 眞覺禪師. His disciples included such well-known figures as Dahui Zonggao 大慧宗杲 and Huqiu Shaolong 虎丘紹隆. While staying at Blue Cliff 碧巖 in 夾山, he edited the hundred verses on ancient precedents by the Yunmen monk Xuedou Zhongxian 雪竇重顯 (980–1052) and published this in ten fascicles with the title Blue Cliff Record 碧巖錄, which has ended up becoming one of the most popular texts in the entire history of Chan, including Chanʼs East Asian and Western derivations. He added to the basic text, his introductions 垂示, capping phrases 著語, and critiques 評唱. He was the chief monk of the Daolinsi, Xingguosi, Tianningsi, and other temples. Cf. 〔萬善同歸集 T 2017.48.957c1〕 [Charles Muller; source(s): Yokoi, Ina-Z]

Sources

• Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University 
• 圜悟克勤, Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (to sign in, see DDB sign-in)