The main purposes of the thesis are to study the Buddhist thinking of Yuan Yin Lao Ren (Zhong-Ding Li), the third patriarch of Dharma Zen, and investigate the relationship between Yuan Yin Lao Ren and Dharma Zen. The methodology is based on the literature reviews and the interviews of associated figures. Dharma Zen was first promoted by Master Da Yu, the first patriarch of Dharma Zen, in the early Republic of China. The promotion ended controversially and failed to earn people’s trust, and finally fell into silence. However, after the Economic Reform and Opening Up, Yuan Yin Lao Ren promoted Dharma Zen again, and it was approved and praised by the public. The difference of the public reactions symbolized the time division between the old Dharma Zen time and the new. Yuan Yin Lao Ren then became not only the third patriarch of Dharma Zen but also the root guru in the new Dharma Zen time. On the other hand, this thesis would address the contents of learning and practicing Dharma Zen and the stages of practicing it. The core Buddhist thinking of Yuan Yin Lao Ren is Spiritual Enlightenment, which gives insights to various Dharma methods he had practiced throughout lifetime. He achieved mastery of Buddhist philosophy and practice through this core thinking and shared the insights based on his own practice. He also gave suggestions and encouragements to the practitioners who were practicing Zen, Pure-land and Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. Concerning the issue of Abhijñā （direct knowledge or supernormal knowledge）, which practitioners usually feel lost in, Yuan Yin Lao Ren made a strong connection between the issue of Spiritual Enlightenment and that of Abhijñā in order to clarify the practitioners’ curiosity and confusion. Finally, the thesis reviews the Buddhist philosophy of Yuan Yin Lao Ren and the achievement of his lifetime efforts in promoting Dharma Zen. Based on these premises, there will be three statements proposed. First, Yuan Yin Lao Ren redefined the contents and depth of Dharma Zen and established the new status of Dharma Zen in sects of Buddhism. Second, he interpreted the hidden meanings of Mahamudra, the classics of Tibetan Tantra, through the core thinking of Zen, Spiritual Enlightenment. From here, he integrated the essential contents of all sects of Buddhism. In the meantime, he has thought outside the category of Dharma Zen, and enriched its contents. Finally, with the very sincerity, Yuan Yin Lao Ren informed all disciples that, during the last period of the Dharma-Ending Age, if one has not yet practiced Dharma Zen or found it ineffective after practicing, Pure-land Buddhism and its way of reciting the name of Buddha wholeheartedly is the fastest method to achieve spiritual enlightenment in this lifetime.
