Lianchi Zhuhong

CHINA, Zhejiang, Hangzhou; Ming dynasty

Lianchi Zhuhong, was a monk and calligrapher with an original family name of Shen. He was also commonly referred to as Master Yunqi. Since youth, he excelled in Confucian studies, and eventually became a scholar at the age of 17. Although he was a devout Buddhist and always felt an inclination to renounce, it was not until his middle age that he did so under Master Wumen Xingtian at Zhaoqing Temple in Zhejiang.
After spending several years visiting various temples in search of teachings, he founded a monastery on Yunqishan in Zhejiang. During his later years, he became more strict in his practice and re-established the monastery as a site for the Pure Land school, where he advocated the dual practices of the Chan and Pure Land schools. His teachings were well-received and drew many disciples. Together with Hanshan Deqing, Zibo Zhenke, and Ouyi Zhixu, he is regarded as one of the Four Eminent Monks of the late Ming dynasty(1368–1644).
Lianchi had produced a number of written works, including the Essential of the Amitabha Sutra’s Commentary and Short Records of Account of Stimuli and Responses to Avatamsaka Sutra. A skilled calligrapher, Lianchi’s works include a Seven-Character Poem kept at Ho’s Calligraphy Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan.