Zhimen Guangzuo 智門光祚（ it is not known when he was born or when he died） was a Chan master of the Yunmen 雲門 School’s third existence. Overshadowed by the fame of Yunmen Wenyan 雲 門 文 偃（ 864–949） and Xuedou Chongxian 雪 竇 重 顕（ 980–1052）, Guangzuo is usually mentioned only briefly in the history of Chan Buddhism, as noted by Mr. Huang Yi-hsun 黄釈勲. In fact, we cannot say that a study on him has ever really been completed. For the study, I first examined his biography, paying close attention to his first ritual preaching at Chongsheng Yuan 崇勝院 temple. He declared who his teacher would be at that time. The text is remarkable as it allows us an insight into his thoughts on the Buddhist community and the influence of the other Chan schools and sects at that time, and also his thoughts on his own position, especially regarding his teacher-student relationships. Next, I study his philosophy mainly using The Record of Sayings of Chan Master Zhimen Zuo 智門祚禅師語録, which was edited by Xuedou Chongxian who was a direct student of Guangzuo. I am certain that an analysis of The Record of Sayings of Chan Master Zhimen Zuo and the other records of Guangzuo’s sayings will contribute to the clarification of Chan’s philosophy in the Song Era.
