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Hsu Yun China (1839 - 1959) Timeline Buddhist : Zen / Chan Poems by Hsu Yun Books - Links |
When he was 13, he declared that he wanted to join a Buddhist monastery, but his father refused to allow it. He eventually went against his father's wishes and became an ordained monk at age 20, in 1859.
He had a naturally ascetic temperament and often refused even the minimal food of a monk. He later went on a three year solitary retreat into the forest where he sustained himself primarily on wild greens and pure stream water.
Hsu Yun traveled quite a bit in his life, teaching in many parts of China and Southeast Asia. He is credited by many with revitalizing Buddhist practice throughout much of the region, which was showing signs of degeneration and decline in the period leading up to and following the communist revolution.
Although he attained immense respect, Hsu Yun remained supremely humble and simple in his lifestyle. He chose to live the final years of his long life quietly in his monastery's cow shed.
Poems by Hsu Yun
- An Exquisite Truth
- Feelings on Remembering the Day I first Produced the Mind
- Going Beyond Desire
- Heart of the Buddha
- Mirror Pond on Mount Taibo in Shanxi
- Searching for the Dharma
Related Links
Hsu Yun Buddhist Association
http://www.hsuyun.net/
A brief biography, some poetry selections, and explanations of Hsu Yun's teachings.
Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun
http://www.hsuyun.org/
Several articles, some photos, and a good selection of Hsu Yun's poetry in English and other languages.
Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun - 2
http://zbohy.zatma.org/Dharma/zbohy/Home/home-index.html
Another excellent site with poems and teachings of Hsu Yun.
