Talk:Yuquan Shenxiu

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The article may be improved by following the WikiProject Biography 11 easy steps to producing at least a B article.-- Jreferee 15:52, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

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I can't agree with the edits on this page by Dsantayana. I feel they do not have a NPOV. I do not know what "some fierce crushing aided by the regime on Dharma succession." means. I also do not agree with "which was replaced by Chinese monism to entertain its egalitarian social thinking." This is a subjective POV. While China may not have a "cast[e]" system, it is still very hierarchical and there has traditionally been little mobility for the masses and very little egalitarianism.

Furthermore, "The destroy of Shenxiu's teaching was done during the period." is not true. There is considerable current academic thought that much of the Platform Sutra was based on (if not actually written by) Shenxiu and his teaching. Hence, I wrote: "The influence of Shenxiu’s teachings on subsequent Chan doctrine and practices is still a somewhat open question." to leave the question open as it is not absolutely certain what his influence on later Chan was although there is little doubt that he did influence the Southern School and hence, all subsequent Zen. Yanagida Seizan wrote: "The Southern School is predicated on the Northern School. Without the Northern School there could not have been any Southern School" (McRae, 1986:338 n.291) Shenxiu's teaching was not "destroyed".

Could someone point me to a reference to Shenxiu's "Traces of Dualism in his moral cosmology"?

The decline of the Northern School as a separate entity in the history of Chan is far more complex than Dsantayana makes out. These are complicated questions fraught with myth, politics and uncertain documentation. I suggest great care be taken so as not to mislead readers who are unfamiliar with the topic. I would appreciate some feedback as to whether others believe that these edits are inappropriate. thank you Thinman10

As no one has commented on my comment above, I've taken the liberty of removing some additions which I believe do not have a neutral point of view. Thinman10 06:34, 30 April 2007 (UTC)