zowie

zowie

Zhiwei (653-706), a eminent monk of Tang Dynasty. Common surname Chen, Jiangning (now Nanjing) people. At the age of 20, he became a monk in Youyan temple. Later, he paid a visit to niutoufa, held a Zen master, passed on his Dharma, lived in Niutoushan, Jinling, and greatly promoted his clan's style. Later, he passed on the Dharma to Huizhong. Niutouzong, which began with FaLong Zen master, was passed down by Zhiyan, Huifang, fachi, Zhiwei and Huizhong for six generations, and is collectively known as the sixth patriarch of niutouzong.

Character experience

On February 18, the tenth year of Kaiyuan (the 17th year of Yishuo) of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, Zen master Zhiwei died in yanzuo temple. His life span was 70 years. On his deathbed, Zen master Zhiwei told his disciples to put his body in the forest to feed birds and animals. After his death, his disciple xuanting followed the religion. Zen master Zhiwei is the fifth ancestor of niutouzong. His disciples include niutouhuizhong, an guoxuanting, Tianzhu Chonghui, Helin xuansu, etc. there are Buddhist caves under Huizhong, Daoqin of Jingshan under xuansu, and Daoqin of bird nest and Daolin under Daoqin. All of them are great virtues of a generation.

Historical status

Niutouzong, also known as niutouchan, is a sect of Zen originated from the Dharma Master of Niutoushan. It is also a Zen sect originated from the Daoism of the fourth patriarch. It is said that the Dharma is integrated into the stone chamber of the North Rock of Youqi temple in Niutoushan, Jinling. It has the auspicious omen of a hundred birds holding flowers. During the reign of Emperor Taizong Zhenguan, the fourth patriarch heard about it and went to find out and pay the Dharma to Farong. This is the beginning of the distribution of Zen, which is symmetrical with the Dongshan sect of Hongren, the fifth patriarch, and is called Niutou sect. Although the style of niutoumen was very popular in Tang Dynasty, it failed after Song Dynasty.