Editing Linji Yixuan (section)

==Biography==

===Sources===
Information on Linji is based on the ''Línjì yǔlù'' and other sources like the ''[[Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall|Zutang ji]],'' ''[[The Jingde Record of the Transmission of the Lamp|Jingde chuan-denglu]]'', ''Song gaoseng zhuan'' (''Song-dynasty Biographies of eminent monks''), and the ''Tiansheng guang-denglu (Tiansheng-era Extensive record of the transmission)''.{{sfn|Welter|2008|p=4-6}}{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=64}} However, the composition of these sources, like the ''Línjì yǔlù'', occurred over various stages of historical development, culminating in the Song dynasty version of the ''Línjì yǔlù'' published by the Linji school.{{sfn|Welter|2008|p=4}} This text thus includes stories and passages attributed to Linji by later authors. As such, according to Albert Welter, "the life of the historical person Linji is shrouded in legend."{{sfn|Welter|2008|p=4}} Yanagida Seizan also writes "If we construct a chronology of the master’s life it must be a tentative one only, based for the most part upon traditional material rather than upon facts that can be substantiated with historical accuracy.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=64}} 

===Life===
According to the sources, Linji was born during the [[Emperor Xianzong of Tang|Yuanhe]] era (806–820) into a family named Xing ({{lang|zh|邢}}) living in Nanhua ({{lang|zh|南華}}), Cao ({{lang|zh|曹}}) Prefecture (modern [[Yanzhou, Jining|Yanzhou]] {{lang|zh|兖州}} in [[Shandong|Shandong Province]]).{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=65}} Little is known of his early life. According to the ''Guzunsu yulu'' (''Recorded sayings of the ancient worthies''), "After shaving his head and receiving the full precepts, he frequented the lecture halls; he mastered the [[vinaya]] and made a thorough study of the [[Sutra|sutras]] and [[Shastra|śāstras]]."{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=66}} Yanagida Seizan writes that his teachings indicate that Linji was knowledgeable in the Mahayana sutras and also "show the influence of works of the [[Huayan]] {{lang|zh|華嚴}} (Avataṃsaka) and [[East Asian Yogācāra|Weishi]] {{lang|zh|唯識 }}(“Consciousness-only”; Yogācāra) schools."{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=66}} Seizan also mentions that he seems to have been expert in the teachings of Yogācāra, since the ''Zutang ji'' depicts Linji's first meeting with Dayu as being a discussion on the ''[[Yogācārabhūmi-Śāstra|Treatise on the stages of Yogācāra practice]]'' (''Yuqie lun'' {{lang|zh|瑜伽論}}).{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=66}}   

After this period of study however, Linji turned to meditative practice, as sermon 18 of the ''Record of Linji'' states "But later, when I realized that they were only remedies to help the world and displays of opinion, I threw them all away, and, searching for the Way, I practiced meditation."{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=66}} Linji then traveled to [[Jiangnan]] where he met Chan master [[Huangbo Xiyun]] ({{lang|zh-Hant|黃蘗希運}}), at some point between 836 and 841.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=67}} He likely stayed with Huangbo at Mount Huangbo for about three years until he had a great enlightenment.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=67}} According to sources like the ''Record of Linji'', Linji questioned Huangbo three times about the central meaning of Buddhism and Huangbo struck him three times. Then Huangbo sent Linji to meet the reclusive monk Dàyú ({{lang|zh|大愚}}). After exchanging some words with this monk, Linji attained an awakening or (見性, [[Kenshō|jianxing]]). He then returned to Huangbo and told him what had occurred. Huangbo slapped Linji, saying “You lunatic, coming back here and pulling the tiger’s whiskers!” Then Linji responded with a loud shout.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=67}} After this event, Linji stayed with Huangbo for some time, or he may have traveled to practice with Dayu for a time as well. The various sources differ on this issue.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=68}} 
[[file:Linji monastery02.JPG|thumb|Linji temple]]
[[File:Chengling pagoda.JPG|thumb|The Chengling pagoda at [[Linji Temple]] is believed to contain the remains of Linji.{{sfn|Welter|2008|p=vii-viii}}]]
In around 849 or 850 Linji, an older forty year old, left on a pilgrimage.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=64}} Little is known of this pilgrimage, though the Chuandeng lu mentions that he visited Bodhidharma’s memorial tower in Henan.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=64}} In about 851, Linji settled in Zhenzhou, [[Hebei]] where he led a small temple located southeast of the city of Zhenzhou. It was known as the [[Linji Temple|Linji yuan]] ({{lang|zh|臨濟院}}, “Temple Overlooking the Ford”) since it was on the banks of the [[Hutuo River]]. It is the name of this temple which gave Linji his name.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=69}} Linji's temple may have been supported by the Wang family patriarch [[Wang Yuankui]] {{lang|zh|王元逵}} (d. 855) or one of his sons.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=70}} 

Linji lived and taught in this temple for about ten years. Linji's students included [[Zhaozhou Congshen]]''',''' [[Puhua]], Sansheng Huiran, Baoshou Yanzhao, Xinghua Cunjiang, Mayu, Longya Judun, Dajue, and Xingshan Jianhong.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=73}} In about 863 or 864, Linji left Linji temple to accept an invitation by Lord Jiang Shen, regional commissioner of Hezhong, who had his seat at Puzhou ({{lang|zh|蒲州}}).{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=75-76}} From Puzhou, Linji traveled to Weifu on the invitation from Grand Marshal and President of the Grand Imperial Secretariat, Lord He. At Weifu, he stayed at Jiangxi chanyuan temple ({{lang|zh|江西禪院}}), of Guanyin si ({{lang|zh|觀音寺}}).{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=75-76}} He stayed at this temple for a year, receiving visitors, until his death.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=77}} The Linji Lu describes his death as follows:

<blockquote>Suddenly one day the master, although not ill, adjusted his robes, sat erect, and when his exchange with Sansheng [Sansheng Huiran] was finished, quietly passed away. It was on the tenth day of the first month in the eighth year of Xiantong &#91;18 February 867] of the Tang dynasty.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=77}} </blockquote>

=== Posthumous influence ===
[[file:Pavilion of shared history, Jingshan, 2023.jpg|thumb|Pavilion in memory of the shared origin of Chinese Linji and Japanese Rinzai in Jingshan Temple]]
After Linji's death, his disciples then cremated him and built a memorial pagoda for the master's remains in the capital of Daming Prefecture. The Chinese emperor decreed that Linji was to receive the posthumous title "Huizhao Chanshi" ({{lang|zh|慧照禪師}}, “Meditation Master of Illuminating Wisdom”).{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=77-78}}

According to Yanagida Seizan, "Linji died probably in his early or mid-fifties, and thus did not reach the advanced age of many of the illustrious masters of his time. Nor did he leave a large body of notable disciples to disseminate his style of Chan."{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=78}} 

Of Linji's small body of disciples, only [[Xinghua Cunjiang]]'s line of transmission survived.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=78}} Very little is known of Cunjiang's heir Nanyuan Huiyong.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=78}} The three succeeding figures from Nanyuan: Fengxue Yanzhao, Shoushan Shengnian, and Fenyang Shanzhao, all remained in the Yellow river area.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=78}} According to Albert Welter, "While the inspiration for the Linji Chan faction was, of course Linji Yixuan, the real founder of the movement was, as noted previously, Shoushan Shengnian (926—993), a fourth-generation descendant."{{sfn|Welter|2008|p=112}}

Fenyang Shanzhao's heir, Shishuang Chuyuan, transmitted the Linji lineage to Southern China. Shishuang was instrumental in promoting and expanding the influence of the [[Linji school]].{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=78}} Over time, this tradition became one of the largest and most influential schools of [[Chan Buddhism|Chan]] in East Asia, with branches in Japan ([[Rinzai school|Rinzai]]), Korea and Vietnam. 

Linji's students compiled and passed on his teachings in various sources, the most famous of which is the ''Recorded Sayings of Linji (Línjì yǔlù)''.{{sfn|Sasaki|2009|p=83}}