The twelfth century Chan Master Hongzhi Zhengjue (Hung-chih Cheng-chueh in Wade-Giles Chinese transliteration, Wanshi Shogaku in Japanese) was important in the development of zen meditation. He articulated silent illumination, the nondual objectless meditation called shikan taza "just sitting" in Japan, which is strikingly similar to Tibetan Dzogchen and Mahamudra meditations. He also originated the "Book of Serenity," a major collection of koans, and was a primary influence for Dogen, the brilliant Japanese zen pioneer.
This thesis is an annotated translation of Hongzhi's eloquent and inspiring practice instructions and a selection of his poems. The introduction includes a biography and discussions of Hongzhi's context in the Caodong (Japanese: Soto) Zen tradition; the practical relevancy of Hongzhi's teachings as highlighted by the critique of his contemporary Dahui; and Hongzhi's influence on his successor Dogen's teachings of just-sitting, introspective insight, and dropping body and mind.
