Song · by 正覺頌古．元 行秀評唱
95,528 · about 318 min
The "Wansong Elder's Commentary on the Verses of Ancient Cases from Congrong Hermitage" is an important Chan Buddhist text from the Song Dynasty. It consists of verses on ancient cases composed by Chan Master Hongzhi Zhengjue, with commentary added by the Yuan Dynasty monk Wansong Xingxiu. Compiled during the transition between the Song and Yuan periods, the work is set against the backdrop of Congrong Hermitage and includes one hundred Chan gong'an (public cases). Through the combination of poetic verses and prose commentary, it elucidates Chan principles, blending the styles of the Linji and Caodong schools. The text offers profound insights into the subtle dialogues of gong'an and embodies the Chan ideal of sudden enlightenment. Regarded as a model of the commentary style in Chan literature, it has had a lasting impact on the development of Chan thought and remains a key source for studying the philosophy and practice of Chan Buddhism during the Song and Yuan eras.