Wansong's Commentary on Jue's Ancient Cases (萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚拈古請益錄)

About 萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚拈古請益錄

Song · by 正覺拈古　元 行秀評唱

64,392 · about 215 min

"Wansong Elder's Commentary on Master Tiantong Jue's Ancient Cases for Inquiry", commonly known as "Wansong Elder's Commentary on Tiantong's Ancient Cases for Inquiry", was compiled by the Song Dynasty master Zhengjue, who selected and commented on ancient cases, and further elaborated upon by the Yuan Dynasty master Xingxiu. This work belongs to the genre of Chan (Zen) discourse records, containing Master Tiantong Zhengjue's selection and commentary on ancient Chan cases, with Wansong Xingxiu providing additional explanations and insights in a question-and-answer format to guide practitioners toward awakening. Created during the flourishing period of Chan Buddhism in the Song and Yuan dynasties, it integrates the styles of the Linji and Caodong schools, profoundly embodying the Chan principle of "not relying on words, directly pointing to the mind." It serves as an important text for studying Song-Yuan Chan thought and the interpretation of koans, holding a pivotal role in Buddhist history as a bridge between past and future, and providing authoritative guidance for later practitioners in their exploration of Chan teachings.