Yüan-wu Kʾo-chʾin

views updated

Yüan-wu Kʾo-chʾin (Jap., Engo Kokugon; 1063–1135). Master of the Yōgi lineage of Rinzai, dharma-successor of Wu-tsu Fa-yen, and major figure in the development of kōan based Zen. He was head of different monasteries, and was favoured by the northern emperor, Hui-tsung, who called him Fo-kuo Chʾan-shih, ‘Zen master of the buddha fruit’. His major work was the joint-compilation of Hekiganroku, the Blue Cliff Record—see KŌAN.