Baiyun Zen Studies

Since the introduction from India at Emperor Ming,Eastern Han Dynasty,Buddhism adjustment itself during the impact of various cultural shocks and lasted more than two thousand years without failure until collision,fusion with China's traditional culture,rooted in Chinese land and becomes to be Chinese characteristics Buddhism.Magnificently situated between Suizhou and Tongbai which is stretch cross Hubei and Henan provinces,the main peak of Tongbai Mountain becomes to be a famous meditation practice place for ancient and modern monks hermit.As early as in the Zhou Dynasty,it said that"the road build though Xiong Er,Waifang,Tongbai,to Fuwei,(Peiwei)" when describe the narrative famous mountains which including Tongbai Mountain as one of the famous mountains,it also was described as one of forty-four blessed land from the immortal home seventy-two blessed land in Dao books--Yunjiqiqian.From Tang Dynasty,Buddhism was introduced into Tongbai Mountain area.Qianlong forty-nine years of Qing Dynasty,Duande,the funder monks of Sichuan Ningyuan province Dechang County Zonglin monastery,comes to Tongbai Mountain and declaring to accept the worship of his follower which was named by 32 characters by Ming and Hao.Ming faction including:Duan Yuan Chang Ji,Liao Ji Rong Tong,Zhi Chuan Hai Yin,Miao Yan Xin Kong,Xing Guan Pu Zhao,Dao Xian Zu Feng,Zhen Zhi Ben Jue,Da Fa Ming Zong;Hao faction including:Hua Hui Hai Yun,De Fa Pu Hao,Zhen Ru Xing Ti,Qing Jing Miao Dao,Xin Han Bao Yue,Lang Ran Jie Jiao,Ling Shang Yi Mai,Gu Jin Guang Yao.He also asked his disciples Yuan Ming built Yuntai Temple on the top of Taibai Peak;Yuan Zhen built Puhua Temple in Taohua Cave.Since then,the Duande factions came in to its booming period in Tongbai Mountain area,and became to be Baiyun Chan Faction around Taibai peak gradually.With the location of hinterland in the Central Plains,Tongbai Mountain played a very import role during the birth and growing process of Chinese Buddhism.Eearly Baiyun Chan Faction mainly came from ordinary people,part of the monks lives in the deep mountain in its era of conversion.They continued the development of Chinese-style Mountain Buddhism during the cultivation and meditation at the same time.Although the Baiyun Chan Faction originated in the occlusive area of Tongbai Mountain,but it always maintained an open vision,and pay a lot of intention to the Buddhism education and the pursuit of Buddhist academic research,this phenomenon is more obviously in the modern Baiyun Chan Faction monks.In the relationship between monks and faiths,the prosperity of Buddhism in a region of any one age has maintained a proper interaction with the local believers and the masses.The good quality of the monks can lead to the realistic that more people approaching Buddhism,exposure to Buddhism,the influence of Buddhism became more and more important during the learning Buddha environment contrast and the foundation of the construction of the masses of faith.Baiyun Chan Faction is a relatively distinctive regional sect,most of its faiths and monks came from the Tongbai Mountain surrounding areas people.Strict discipline and ascetic monks set an outstanding example for the faith.Especially in the situation of the Tongbai Mountain area,lots of herbs grows very well here and there are lots of medical master in the monk team,they grow,collect,and pharmaceutical Chinese Medicines and offer them with professional service freely to local people.Their superb medical and compassionate heart has been praised by many people.This mass basis of the Dharma career of Baiyun Chan Faction shown its long-lasting strength and unlimited vitality.in the aspect of interaction of blood and religious clan identity,there are lots of examples the relatives of Buddha were converted by the influence of him during the founding of Buddhism.The similar things are only handful during the development of Baiyun Chan Faction History.The good interaction of blood and religious clan identity are practicing very well the family inherited of Buddha in family convert which was great influenced by the surrounding atmosphere,enrich learning resource,and the radiation area.Monks practice and Bodhisattva practice have the same goal of improvement,and one of the most important goal of Bodhisattva is converting all belongs,that's why the families and relatives as the part of belongs should be in the scope of converting not to mention the blood affection.In the ideological structure,the Baiyun Chan Faction call themselves "gripping gourd Chan" which on one hand shown their emphasis on internal practice,on the other hand shown the lofty mood and unspeakable characters which made a different form to explore the way from other sects.Baiyun Chan Faction is a faction with ancestral,entities,descendants of the disciples,and divisions of the relationship between the sects.The law of the ditch is a very important relationship with the cause of life,the cause of being the monk,the cause of the study of Buddhism,and even the cause of the future practice.As a small branch of the Chan Factions,Baiyun Chan faction is very representative due to the close tie of the initial faith and tonsure.The capability of advance with times and wisdom of ancient masters of Baiyun Chan faction Buddhism shown a vitality of Buddhism,which can be not only practice during the unusual era of mountains to protect themselves but also can come back in the era of good time so that the ill-fated modern Buddhism can be continued,and the power of Chan is prominent.This article is a microcosm of modern Chinese Buddhism which may be changes,ups and downs by displaying last two centuries' overall comprehensive tortuous development from the agricultural Chan to cultural consciousness.Baiyun Chan faction shared more than two centuries of the Chinese land reborn with its own development,which reflects the Central Plains of Buddhism concept transformation in special historical period represents the spirit of the perseverance portrayal of Chinese nation,and the wisdom of development.