Xuefeng Yicun
| Xuefeng Yicun 雪峰 义 存 | |
|---|---|
| School | Tang Dynasty Ch'an, Southern School of sudden enlightenment |
| Personal | |
| Born | 822 CE Nanan district of Quanzhou (today's prow. Fujian) |
| Died | 908 CE monastery atop Guangfu Xuefeng (Snow Summit) Top Xianggu (Elephant Tusk) |
| Senior posting | |
| Title | purple robe and the title of Grand Master of the True Enlightenment |
| Successor |
Xuansha Shibei Yunmen Wenyan Baofu Congzhan |
| Religious career | |
| Teacher | Deshan Xuanjian |
Xuefeng Yicun (822-908) (Chinese: 雪峰义存; Wade–Giles: Hsüeh-feng I-ts'un; pinyin: Xuěfēng Yìcún; Japanese: Seppō Gison) was a Chinese Chan-master who was influential during the Tang Dynasty. The Yunmen school and Fayan school originated with descendants of his lineage.
According to the Wudeng Huiyuan ("Compendium of Five Lamps") Xuefeng Yicun was born in 822 in Nanan in ancient the district Quanzhou (now the province of Fujian). At age twelve he left home to live at Yujian Temple in Putian City.
During the suppression of Buddhism (841-846) by Emperor Xuanzong Xuefeng Yicun was forced to leave the monastery. He continued his apprenticeship with a master Yuanzhao (Changzhao) on top of Furong (Lotus) Mountain in Hunan.
When Emperor Xuanzong allowed for the restoration of Buddhism Xuefeng started hiking in the different regions of northern China. He received the full ordination of monks in 850 in the Baocha monastery in Youzhou (now Beijing) in the Hebei province.
Later he went to Wuling (near the modern city of Changde in Hunan province), and became a student and dharma heir of Deshan Xuanjian (782-865).
After his awakening Xuefeng returned to his former monastery on top of the Lotus Mountain, and then built a monastery on the top of Guangfu Xuefeng (Snow Summit) Top Xianggu (Elephant Bone). During the qianfu era (874-878) the monastery was officially recognized by the authorities. His teachings were supported by several officials in the Min region. As a result of his growing fame, Xuefeng was summoned to the court by palace officials. Xuefeng was awarded a purple robe and the title of "Grand Master of the truly enlightened" (zhenjue dashi) (or Grand Master of the True Enlightenment) by Emperor Xizong.
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