Upasaka Wen Shu

Richard Hunn
Richard Hunn (1949-2006)
Religion	Chan Buddhism
Lineage	Caodong
Dharma names	Upāsaka Wen Shu
Religious career
Teacher	Charles Luk
Students	Adrian Chan-Wyles

Richard Hunn (1949–2006) had the lay-Buddhist name of Upasaka Wen Shu. He was the disciple of Charles Luk (1898–1978) and practiced Chan Buddhism, as taught to Charles Luk by the Chinese Buddhist master Hsu Yun (虛雲, 1840-1959).

This is often translated as Dhyana (Chin. Chan-na) in other contexts, but in the “Transmission of the Mind” or Ch’an School proper, it has a wider meaning. Though Ch’an adherents do indeed cultivate dhyana and prajna, or stillness and wisdom, the Ch’an School understands this is in a dynamic and not static way. Bodhidharma’s mission was to ‘point directly to the Mind’ for outright cognisance of the Dharmakaya or Buddha-body without passing through the gradual stages mentioned in the teaching school.’

Richard Hunn edited the English translation of the Chinese text of the autobiography of Hsu Yun in 1987, which was subsequently published through Element Books in 1988. He expanded on the original translation by Charles Luk, comparing the English text to the Chinese original (pinyin: Xū Yún Héshàng Niánpǔ), editing and making revisions where required. He also added extra notes, a glossary and the use of modern pinyin. Several passages were rewritten or added, constituting new translations.

Richard Hunn had this to say about the project:

Now, with the Element edition, I would like to remember my Kalyanamitra and kind friend, Charles Luk, who worked so hard to present many fine translations of the Chinese Buddhist texts, besides which I must thank Irene Luk, his daughter, for continuing to take an interest in her father’s work and allowing this text to become available again, albeit in modified form.

In 1990, Richard Hunn relocated to Lancashire to further his academic studies within the field of Chinese Buddhism. Prior to this however, he spent many years living in Thorpe Hamlet, where he served as an authority on Chan Buddhism. His knowledge and expertise were focused through the Norwich Ch’an Association – a loose affiliation of like minded people dedicated to spiritual practice. People would visit from the UK or from abroad seeking Chan instruction and every so often, Richard Hunn would hold "Ch’an Weeks", intensive meditational retreats that could last from between two days to two weeks. This is an ancient tradition dating back to Song China (960–1279) that recognises the importance of the laity and lay practice within Chan Buddhism and follows the "enlightened lay-person" example of Vimalakirti.