Yuan · by 曇噩述
380,578 · about 1269 min
The Newly Compiled Categorized Biographies of Monks in Six Disciplines was compiled by the monk Tan E of the Yuan Dynasty. Completed during the Yuan Dynasty, this work is an important document in Buddhist historical biography. The entire text uses the six disciplines—namely the six pāramitās (perfections)—as its framework to organize and present biographies, collecting the deeds of eminent monks throughout history. Its content covers categories such as scripture translation, doctrinal exegesis, meditation practice, vinaya clarification, dharma protection, and spiritual resonance, systematically outlining the cultivation and contributions of monastics. This biography holds a prominent position in Buddhist history, as it continues the tradition of biographies of eminent monks and, through its unique categorical structure, demonstrates the stages of practice on the Mahāyāna bodhisattva path. It possesses significant value for the study of Yuan Dynasty Buddhism and the development of biographical styles in monastic records.