Guishan Lingyou



Guishan Lingyou (Japanese: Isan Reiyu) (771–853) was a Chinese Chan master during the Tang dynasty and the founder of the Guiyang school.

Life

 * 771: born under the secular surname Zhao, born in Changxi, Fujian province
 * 785: became a Buddhist monk at age 15, received tonsure ceremony at Shanjian Temple in Fujian, received the monastic precepts at Longxing Temple in Hangzhou where he studied sutra and Vinaya Pitaka.
 * 793: at age 23, followed Zen Master Baizhang Huaihai, as his dharma heir disciple
 * 820: became the abbot of Tongqing Temple in Guishan, Hunan Province. Master Lingyou trained many disciples, included Yangshan Huiji (813 - 890), his dharma heir. The Guiyang school was named after master Guishan Lingyou and his disciple, Yangshan Huiji.
 * 853: died at age 83