Mazu Daoyi

Daoyi Mazu (Chinese马祖 道 一, pinyin Mǎzǔ Daoyi, W.-G. Ma tsu Tao yi; jap马祖 道 一, Baso Doitsu; * 709, † 788 ) was a Chinese master of Chan Buddhism. He is regarded as an outstanding master of the Tang period. As a student and Dharma heir of Nanyue Huairang Mazu was the sole successor of the patriarch Huineng. Among his most famous students include Baizhang Huaihai and Huangbo Xiyun.

His koans in Biyan Lu and Wumenguan among the best known, including the koans 30 and 33 in Wumenguan where Baizhang asks the question " What is Buddha? " And gets the answer " mind is Buddha ," and a later students in the same question gets the answer is " not mind, not Buddha" to free him from his fixed notions.

  • Buddhist monk
  • Person of Zen Buddhism
  • Buddhism in China
  • Tang Dynasty
  • Chinese
  • Born 709
  • Died 788
  • Man
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