Zhangxue Tongzui

CHINA, Sichuan, Neijiang; Ming to Qing dynasty

A Chan monk of the Linji school of Chinese Buddhism, Chan Master Zhangxue Tongzui had a Dharma name of Tongzui and an original name of Li Weixing. Having renounced at a young age under Chan Master Qingran of Yichan Temple in Sichuan, he diligently studied the classics, poetry, and calligraphy. In 1636, to continue his Chan studies, he paid homage to Master Miyun Yuanwu and his Dharma successor, Poshan Minghai.
Later, Master Zhangxue stayed at and rebuilt Zhaojue Temple in Sichuan. In 1649, he renamed Longxing Temple in Jiangxi to Yumen Temple. Gathering monks from different places, he gave Chan teachings for 12 years.
Master Zhangxue collected the famous Dharma words and stories of various past and present monks and laymen in Shu (present day Sichuan) for over 30 years, and compiled them into a 20-fascicle text. Also a skilled artist in the areas of poetry, calligraphy, and landscape painting, his cursive script calligraphy was smooth flowing and harmonious. An example of his work, entitled Seven-Character Quatrain, is kept at Ho’s Calligraphy Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan.