15,066 · about 50 min
The Recorded Sayings of Chan Master Jingduan of Mount Wu, recompiled by his Dharma grandson Shijiao, documents the words, deeds, and teachings of the Song Dynasty Linji school master Jingduan. Active during the Northern Song period, Master Jingduan carried forward the Linji tradition and was renowned for his sharp, direct, and mind-piercing style. This collection captures the essence of his Chan teachings, including formal hall discourses, dialogues of awakening, and poetic verses, reflecting the Song Dynasty Chan emphasis on gong'an investigation and immediate realization. As a key text of the Linji school, it not only demonstrates the master's profound insight into the nature of mind, but also provides valuable historical material for studying the evolution of Chan thought in the Song Dynasty. Holding a pivotal place in Buddhist history, it connects past and future, exerting a deep influence on later Chan practice.