PHILOSOPHER

Linji Yixuan

850 - 866

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Linji Yixuan (traditional Chinese: 臨濟義玄; simplified Chinese: 临济义玄; pinyin: Línjì Yìxuán; Wade–Giles: Lin-chi I-hsüan; Japanese: 臨済義玄 Rinzai Gigen; died 866 CE) was a Tang dynasty (618-907) Chinese monk and teacher of the Hongzhou school of Chinese Chan (Zen). Linji was the leading figure of Chan Buddhism in the Tang, and the Recorded Sayings of Linji (Línjì yǔlù), which contains his teachings, is seen as a major Zen text which exemplifies the iconoclastic and antinomian spirit of Zen. He is also known by the posthumous title Huizhao Chanshi (慧照禪師, “Meditation Master of Illuminating Wisdom”). Linji was a student of Huangbo Xiyun and is also considered to be the founder of the influential Linji school of Chan. Read more on Wikipedia

His biography is available in different languages on Wikipedia. Linji Yixuan is the 452nd most popular philosopher (up from 514th in 2019), the 295th most popular biography from China (up from 386th in 2019) and the 19th most popular Chinese Philosopher.

Linji Yixuan is most famous for his teachings on the "Four Great Vows." He believed that the Buddha's teachings were not enough for people to achieve enlightenment. Linji Yixuan believed that people needed to make vows to themselves in order to overcome their own delusions. The Four Great Vows are: to be born as a human being, to become a Buddha, to liberate all beings, and to acquire the wisdom of the Buddha.

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Among PHILOSOPHERS

Among philosophers, Linji Yixuan ranks 452 out of 1,267. Before him are Martha Nussbaum, Lucilio Vanini, Ge Hong, Jyotirao Phule, Dhul-Nun al-Misri, and Hans Reichenbach. After him are Alain de Lille, Henry Suso, Phaedo of Elis, Murray Bookchin, Paul Johann Anselm Ritter von Feuerbach, and Vincent of Beauvais.

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 850, Linji Yixuan ranks 13. Before him are Pope Romanus, Ingólfr Arnarson, Berengar I of Italy, Pope Stephen V, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Istakhri. After him are Emperor Seiwa, Abū Kāmil Shujāʿ ibn Aslam, Vladimir of Bulgaria, Smbat I of Armenia, Ælfflæd, and Bruno, Duke of Saxony. Among people deceased in 866, Linji Yixuan ranks 6. Before him are Al-Kindi, Robert the Strong, Liudolf, Duke of Saxony, Al-Musta'in, and Bardas. After him are Ordoño I of Asturias, Charles the Child, Eberhard of Friuli, and Ranulf I of Aquitaine.

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In China

Among people born in China, Linji Yixuan ranks 295 out of 1,610. Before him are Emperor Huan of Han (132), Lu Su (172), Zhang He (167), Ge Hong (284), Emperor Qianshao of Han (-150), and Daniel C. Tsui (1939). After him are Sima Shi (208), Xiao He (-257), Emperor Cheng of Han (-51), Fan Li (-500), Emperor Zhenzong (968), and Emperor Gong of Song (1271).

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Among PHILOSOPHERS In China

Among philosophers born in China, Linji Yixuan ranks 19. Before him are Han Yu (768), Ban Zhao (45), Guan Zhong (-720), Dong Zhongshu (-179), Zhiyi (538), and Ge Hong (284). After him are Zhang Daoling (34), Huiyuan (334), Marpa Lotsawa (1012), Zhou Dunyi (1017), Hu Shih (1891), and Yang Xiong (-53).

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