16 Facts About Shenhui

Shenhui is notable for his strident attacks on Yuquan Shenxiu and the associated "Northern School", which was the most prominent branch of Chan Buddhism in China at the time.

Shenhui accused them of propagating gradual teachings, as opposed to his own sudden teachings.

Shenhui was born in Xiangyang with the surname Gao.

Shenhui learned The Five Classics of Confucius and the philosophy of Laozi and Zhuangzi at a young age.

Shenhui was a highly successful fundraiser for the government despite his criticism of Shenxiu for having governmental ties.

Shenhui was active in this endeavor in Luoyang, and reportedly very effective.

Shenhui was said to have died while meditating in 760.

Shenhui coined the term "Northern School" in order to deride Shenxiu's school.

Shenhui claimed that Shenxiu tried to usurp the title of Sixth Patriarch from Huineng.

Shenhui supported his claims by stating that Huineng possessed the robe of Bodhidharma, the First Patriarch of Zen.

Shenhui delivered a talk titled the Exposition on Right and Wrong in regards to Bodhidharma's Southern School.

Shenhui used the opportunity to question Shenxiu's legitimacy as Hongren's successor.

Shenhui accused "Northern School" students of trying to steal Bodhidharma's robe, to sever the head of Huineng's mummy, and to rewrite the inscription on Shenxiu's tomb with the words "Sixth Patriarch".

In elucidating his position of sudden enlightenment, Shenhui explained the difference between the teachings of Huineng and Shenxiu in the following exchange with Dharma Master Chongyuan:.

For Shenhui, activating intentions to grasp bodhi, nirvana, emptiness, purity, or concentration were all examples of the false mind.

Shenhui says should the false mind become activated so that our thoughts stray "far and near," we should not try to bring the mind back into concentration.