Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings by Andy Ferguson Read Free Book Online

Temple on Fragrant Mountain in Luoyang. There he studied under a Zen master named Baojing (“Precious Peace”). 15
    Huike met Bodhidharma and studied with him at Shaolin Temple on Mt. Song for six years. 16 Huike is remembered and extolled in Zen tradition for his determination to realize the great truth of the Zen school. According to legend, Huike stood waiting in the snow outside Bodhidharma’s cave, then cut off his left arm to show his sincerity. Recognizing Huike’s great resolve, Bodhidharma accepted him as his student. Huike said to Bodhidharma, “My mind is anxious. Please pacify it.” To which Bodhidharma replied, “Bring me your mind, and I will pacify it.” Huike said, “Although I’ve sought it, I cannot find it.” Bodhidharma then said, “There, I have pacified your mind.”
    After Bodhidharma’s death, Huike traveled to the capital city, Yedu, in the kingdom of Wei. He remained there, except for a period of political turmoil, for the next forty years, upholding and expounding the practice of his teacher. However, religious rivalry and government persecution embroiled Huike in the upheavals of his era. At some time during this period he sought refuge in the mountains. According to tradition, he met and transmitted the lineage of Bodhidharma to his disciple and Dharma heir Sengcan on Huangong Mountain during this period. In the year 579, when political conditions improved, Huike returned to Yedu.
    According to the Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks , a historical record written in the seventh century, Huike had several prominent disciples and lay students. 17 The lamp records offer a traditional account of Huike’s life.

    Huike was the Second Ancestor of Zen in China. He came from Hulao and his surname was Ji. His father’s name was Jiji.
    Before he had children, Huike’s father thought, “Our house pays reverence to what is good. How can we not have children?”
    They often prayed to Buddha. One night they observed an unnatural light pervade their house, and as a result of this Ji’s wife became pregnant. Because of this omen, when the child grew up he was given the name “Light.” As a young man, Huike showed uncommon conviction. He was very skilled at poetry but was uninterested in household affairs, preferring to roam among mountains and rivers. Later, when he read the Buddhist sutras, he excelled in his understanding. He then went to Dragon Gate Monastery on Fragrant Mountain in Luoyang, where he began study under Zen master Baojing. He received ordination at Yongmu Temple. He then traveled to various seats of learning for the Buddhadharma, studying the teachings of the Mahayana and Hinayana. At the age of thirty-two, he returned to Fragrant Mountain. There he practiced meditation throughout the day.
    Once, while he sat in silent stillness, an apparition appeared to Huike and said, “If you want to be successful, then why are you remaining here? The great way is not far away. Go south!”
    Huike then told his teacher about the apparition. His teacher observed Huike’s head and saw that there were seven bumps on it that stuck up like small peaks.
    His teacher said, “You have seen an auspicious omen. The evidence is here on your head. The apparition said that you should go south. This means that you should study with Bodhidharma at Shaolin Temple.”
    Huike accepted this instruction and set off for Shaolin.
    When Bodhidharma completed the transmission of his Dharma to Huike, Bodhidharma returned to India. Huike then strongly expounded Bodhidharma’s teaching and looked far and wide for a Dharma successor.
    In the second year of the Tianping era of the Northern Qi dynasty [536], a layman whose name is not known came to Huike and said, “My body has been wracked by a terrible illness. I ask that you help me absolve the transgression I’ve committed that has caused this.”
    Huike said, “Bring to me the transgression you’ve committed and I’ll absolve it.”
    The layman said,