Exploring Fushan Fayuan’s Commentary Seen in the Chanmen zhuzushi jiesong

Abstract

The Chanmen zhuzushi jiesong, a Chan text from the Song dynasty, incorporates three verses of jiesong with commentary written by Fushan Fayuan (991–1067). Namely, the Xuanzhongming and the Xinfengyin pertaining to Dongshan Liangjie, and the Xueziyin, which according to this study is found to be an anthology of Tong’an Changcha. Among these, by examining the commentary on the Xueziyin, it is clear that Fushan was referencing the Shixuantan, an anthology by Tong’an with a commentary by Dayang Jingxuan (943–1027). This indicates that Fushan was connected to Dayang via Tong’an. Additionally, by looking into the preface to the Xueziyin, it can be said that Fushan was using “Pianzheng Wuwei” under the influence of the Dongshan Wuwei Xianjue. Although “Pianzheng Wuwei” is a method of instruction advocated by Caoshan Benji (840–901), the commentary on the Caoshan Sanzhongduo was also passed on to Dayang, and hence the anthology by Tong’an Changcha and the sect tradition of Caoshan shared between Fushan and Dayang contributed to bridge them.