Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu(1566-1642) is widely known as the greatest Zen master of Linji school in the late Ming dynasty. Once hosting six prestigious Buddhist temples, he has exerted great influence on Chinese Buddhism history. In the prologue of Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu’s Aphorism, Duanbo Huang once praised the master this way, “With noble morality and critical conduct, the master has inherited ancient wisdom. He lives out what he teaches, which contrasts greatly with Mad Zen that prevails in the late Ming dynasty.” However, in contrast with great prosperity in Tang and Song dynasties, Buddhism has gradually declined since the late Yuan dynasty. As a result, Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu has begun to revive Zen belief in Linji School, which has turned out to be a noble act in Chinese Buddhism history. Based on Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu Aphorism, this article has outlined a brief summary on Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu’s ideology. Miyun Yuanwu is a prominent Zen Master in the late Ming dynasty. As a result, abundant literatures discuss about him. However, practical concentration and deeper investigation into the subject has begun to decline these years. Therefore, this article has started out from Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu’s Aphorism and other relevant historical literatures. In addition, fundamental difference between the two prologues, Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu’s Aphorism - Prologue by Duanbo Huang and “Buddhist Monk Miyun Yuanwu’s Aphorism - Prologue” by Lianbi Tsai, has been more deeply studied in this article. By figuring out religious heritage the master has passed down and Zen ideology depicted in Zen Master Miyun Yuanwu’s Aphorism, this article explains the master’s persistence in preaching Zen belief of Linji School, further extending to his unique teaching approaches.
