Recent from talks
Jixing Chewu
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Jixing Chewu
Jixing Chewu (Chinese: 際醒徹悟, c. 1741–1810) was a prominent Buddhist scholar and monk who came to be recognized as the twelfth patriarch of Pure Land Buddhism. He was also known by the sobriquet Mengdong and as "Hongluo Chewu" in honor of his association with Mount Hongluo. Initially a Chan monk ordained in the Linji school, Chewu later abandoned Chan and dedicated himself completely to Pure Land Buddhism.
The only source on Chewu's life is the Brief Sketch of the Life of Chan Master Chewu (Chewu chanshi xing lue) by the monk Mulian.
Jixing Chewu was born in Fengrun County, Hebei Province. During his youth, Jixing Chewu extensively studied all the classical texts. At the age of 22, he experienced a profound realization of life's impermanence due to illness. This led him to ordain under Master Rongchi at the Sansheng Hermitage in Fangshan. The following year, he took the full monastic precepts at Xiuyun Temple under the Vinaya master Hengshi. Subsequently, he pursued advanced studies under tropisms prominent Buddhist teachers. They included Master Longyi of Xiangjie Temple, Yogācāra study under Master Huian of Zengshou Temple, and sutra study with Bian Kong of Xin Hua Temple.
In the winter of 1768, Jixing Chewu visited Guangtong Temple to study under Chan Master Cui Ru Chun. He received the mind seal from this Chan master, becoming his Dharma heir. This established him as a 36th-generation lineage holder of the Linji School. In 1773, when Cui Ru Chun relocated to Wanshou Temple, Jixing Chewu succeeded him as abbot of Guangtong Temple, a position he held for 14 years.
However, Chewu felt that something was missing in his spiritual life. Influenced by the writings of Chan Master Yongming Yanshou who also practiced Pure Land, Chewu was inspired to practice Pure Land Buddhism, writing: "how much more in this age of decline would it be especially right and proper to follow and accept [this path], coming to rest one's mind in the Pure Land?" Chewu later abandoned Chan practice and dedicated himself exclusively to Pure Land practice.
In 1792, he became the abbot of Juesheng Temple, serving for eight years. In 1800, Jixing Chewu retired to Zifu Temple (資福寺) on Mount Hongluo, intending to live a secluded life. However, his teachings attracted numerous followers, leading him to rebuild the temple as a center for communal Pure Land practice. He became widely revered and earned the title "Hongluo Chewu," with contemporaries praising him as the foremost promoter of the Pure Land tradition in the realm.
Chewu died on the 15th year of Jiaqing (1810).
Jixing Chewu was honored as the twelfth patriarch of the Pure Land School by later figures like Yinguang.
Hub AI
Jixing Chewu AI simulator
(@Jixing Chewu_simulator)
Jixing Chewu
Jixing Chewu (Chinese: 際醒徹悟, c. 1741–1810) was a prominent Buddhist scholar and monk who came to be recognized as the twelfth patriarch of Pure Land Buddhism. He was also known by the sobriquet Mengdong and as "Hongluo Chewu" in honor of his association with Mount Hongluo. Initially a Chan monk ordained in the Linji school, Chewu later abandoned Chan and dedicated himself completely to Pure Land Buddhism.
The only source on Chewu's life is the Brief Sketch of the Life of Chan Master Chewu (Chewu chanshi xing lue) by the monk Mulian.
Jixing Chewu was born in Fengrun County, Hebei Province. During his youth, Jixing Chewu extensively studied all the classical texts. At the age of 22, he experienced a profound realization of life's impermanence due to illness. This led him to ordain under Master Rongchi at the Sansheng Hermitage in Fangshan. The following year, he took the full monastic precepts at Xiuyun Temple under the Vinaya master Hengshi. Subsequently, he pursued advanced studies under tropisms prominent Buddhist teachers. They included Master Longyi of Xiangjie Temple, Yogācāra study under Master Huian of Zengshou Temple, and sutra study with Bian Kong of Xin Hua Temple.
In the winter of 1768, Jixing Chewu visited Guangtong Temple to study under Chan Master Cui Ru Chun. He received the mind seal from this Chan master, becoming his Dharma heir. This established him as a 36th-generation lineage holder of the Linji School. In 1773, when Cui Ru Chun relocated to Wanshou Temple, Jixing Chewu succeeded him as abbot of Guangtong Temple, a position he held for 14 years.
However, Chewu felt that something was missing in his spiritual life. Influenced by the writings of Chan Master Yongming Yanshou who also practiced Pure Land, Chewu was inspired to practice Pure Land Buddhism, writing: "how much more in this age of decline would it be especially right and proper to follow and accept [this path], coming to rest one's mind in the Pure Land?" Chewu later abandoned Chan practice and dedicated himself exclusively to Pure Land practice.
In 1792, he became the abbot of Juesheng Temple, serving for eight years. In 1800, Jixing Chewu retired to Zifu Temple (資福寺) on Mount Hongluo, intending to live a secluded life. However, his teachings attracted numerous followers, leading him to rebuild the temple as a center for communal Pure Land practice. He became widely revered and earned the title "Hongluo Chewu," with contemporaries praising him as the foremost promoter of the Pure Land tradition in the realm.
Chewu died on the 15th year of Jiaqing (1810).
Jixing Chewu was honored as the twelfth patriarch of the Pure Land School by later figures like Yinguang.