Ten Rules for the Chan School (宗門十規論)

About 宗門十規論

Tang · by 文益撰

3,429 · about 11 min

The Ten Regulations for the Chan School, composed by the eminent monk Master Wenyi of the Southern Tang dynasty during the Five Dynasties period, is an important text of the Buddhist Chan tradition. Written during the late Tang dynasty when the shortcomings of Chan were gradually becoming apparent, Wenyi addressed ten types of misconduct prevalent in the Chan community at that time. He criticized such maladies as arbitrarily establishing sectarian divisions, disregarding scriptural teachings, and the misuse of enigmatic dialogues. Emphasizing the unity of Chan practice and doctrinal study, as well as genuine cultivation and earnest investigation, this work systematically summarizes the issues in the development of Chan. It laid the theoretical foundation for the establishment of the Fayan school in the early Song dynasty and is revered as an essential guide for rectifying the conduct of Chan communities and correcting deviations within the school, exerting a profound influence on the subsequent development of Chan Buddhism.