In Chinese Buddhist history, the development of the Huayan tradition enters an important stage during the period of the late Tang to the early Song. Although no Huayan master from this period enjoys the same eminent status as the early Huayan patriarchs, Huayan teachings have maintained an influential role in the Chan school. The author aims to identify and analyze contents relating to Huayan thought discussed in a particular Chan text compiled in the Northern Song, the Zuting shiyuan (Chrestomathy from the Patriarchs' Hall). This article briefly introduces the features of the Zuting shiyuan and explores four Huayan concepts contained in the Zuting shiyuan. The Huayan jing, exegeses on the Huayan jing, and works by Huayan masters, such as Dushun (557–640), Li Tongxuan (635–730), Fazang (643–712), Chengguan (738–839), and Wutai Chengqian (active 997–1022), are cited in the Zuting shiyuan. The author then undertakes a broad examination on the four Huayan concepts appearing in various Tang and Song Chan texts. Some noteworthy features of how these four Huayan concepts were applied by Chan masters in their practices and teachings will be summarized. It is the author's hope to contribute new information on Huayan teachings from the Chan perspective during the late Tang and the early Song.
