Master Yin Shun has a book The History of Zen School, relates to detailed discussion of the history and thought of the whole Zen School. He also has another two paper involved with the discussion about the Zen School in another book The Pure Land and Zen. The theoretical opinion in these two works is coherent. In this work, the author will give a comprehensive reflection to Master Yin Shun’s evaluation about Zen School in these two books. The purpose for Master Yin Shun to study Zen School Is clear, which is aiming to counter Doctor Hu Shih’s studying point about Zen School. Hu Shih take the position that the whole theoretical structure of Platform Sutra of Hui Neng was constructed by Master Shen Hui, and Hui Neng carry forward The Diamond Suture is different from The Lankavatara Sutra in its spirit inherited from Master Da Mo. Master Yin Shun’s opinion is that: The Diamond Suture is belonging to Prajna series Suture, and The Lankavatara Suture and Master Da Mo’s Two way and four method are both sutures in Prajna series and materials from The Vimalakirti Sutra. And he also thinks that the Prajna series doctrine in The Diamond Suture is continually been spread in the Zen School history from after the forth Master Dao Shin. It is not just by Master Shen Hui then The Diamond Suture been important. The simple character and the merit opinion of Diamond Suture make it must be in the series of The Prajna Suture, therefore there will not have the thing that the history of the Zen school transforms its doctrine from The Diamond Suture to The Lankavatara Suture. More important is Master Yin Shun thinks that the later Zen School forms a Chinese characteristic Zen style, but this is the development of Master Fa Rong’s Niu Tou Zen, and which is still kept in Master Hui Neng’s Tso Xi Zen been represented by Shi Tou Zen. The later development in Shi Tou Zen exists lots of behaviors that is quite unrespect traditional Buddha’s ritual, Master Yin Shun thinks that this is what Daoist style is and is therefore Daoist Zen then which is just Chinese Zen. According to this main clue, this paper review the opinion about the evaluation of Ru Lai Zang, the different between Xin Xue and Xing Xue, the diverse approach from metaphysis and Practical theory, the connection in Daoist philosophy and Chinese Zen. Some of those are confirmed but the other of those rejected.
