Jichan

CHINA, Hunan, Xiangtan

Jichan was a Chan monk whose original name was Huang Dushan, but was most commonly known by his alias, Bazhi Toutuo, or Eight-Fingered Ascetic. At the age of 17, after attaining sudden enlightenment while observing red flowers falling to the ground, he renounced under Master Donglin at Fahua Temple in Hunan. He later received the complete bhikkhu precepts under Master Xiankai at Zhusheng Temple in Hunan.
After following the ascetic practices and succeeding the Dharma teachings of several great masters, Jichan served as the abbot of Shangfeng Temple and Shanglin Temple in Hunan, as well as Tiantong Temple in Zhejiang. During the Revolution of 1911, he established the Chinese Buddhist Association in Shanghai and served as the elected president.
Jichan was adept in poetry and composed Plum-chewing Recital and Poetry Collection of White Plum. His calligraphic work, Two Quatrains, was a gift to Master Shanhui at Lingquan Chan Monastery in Taiwan and is considered a treasured masterpiece. Another calligraphic work entitled Wutai Inscription is kept at Ho’s Calligraphy Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan.