Master Xuedou (980–1052) is an important Chan master of the Yunmen branch. By using Xuedou’s funerary inscription composed by Lü Xiaqing (active 1025–1077), letters written by Xuedou himself, and other sources, this paper analyzes different stages of Xuedou’s life. According to Xuedou’s funerary inscription, Xuedou’s disciples compiled seven texts composed of Xuedou’s talks given in the Dharma Hall, remarks on old cases, and critical examinations of his disciples’ questions and letters. In addition, the Zuting shiyuan includes works not found in those seven texts in its “Additional Works of Xuedou,” a source which scholars have long overlooked. Through a complete understanding of Xuedou’s life and the seven texts, the author hopes to inspire scholarly interest in Xuedou’s teachings and practices.
