Chan Master Hanyue’s Attitude toward Sutra Teachings in the Ming

Abstract

Historically, a number of Chan masters are regarded as advocates of sūtra learning as a supplement to Chan. Despite this commonality, they all have different approaches and demonstrate varying degrees of reliance on sūtra teachings. This article aims at understanding Chan Master Hanyue’s 漢月 (1573–1635) attitude toward sūtra teachings in the late Ming. Hanyue’s work, Guiding Words on the Zhizheng zhuan, represents a mature and confident attitude towards sūtra teachings on the part of a Chan master during this late stage of development in imperial China.