Monks interpreted Yunmen Monastery for scholars

Group photo at the ornamental archway of Yunmen Monastery

News.fjnet.com, November 13, 2006

Shaoguan, Guangdong -- On November 12, 2006, the Shenzhen Hongfa Monastery's "Zen Tour" Scholars Visiting Group (50 people) visited Yunmen Monastery.

50 Scholars including Mr. Fang Litian and Mr. Lou Yulie visited Yunmen Monastery, Ven. Mingxiang, abbot of Yunmen Monastery welcomed them warmly. Along with scholar's visiting tour in monastery, Ven. Mingxiang introduced Yunmen School Style and relevant meaning in establishing an active monastic atmosphere.

Yunmen Monastery, also named Mt. Yunmen Dajue Zen Monastery, located at the foot of Mt. Yunmen, 6 km north-east from Ruyuan County, Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province, China. It is the cradle of Yunmen School, which is one of the five major schools of Zen Buddhism. In AD 923, Ven. Zen master Wenyan established Yunmen Monastery. Its sharp and lofty style of Zen characterized the peculiar "Yunmen School Style" which fascinated notable scholars and Buddhist monks at that time. "Yunmen School resembles Emperor, Linji School resembles General, and Caodong School resembles intelligentsia and common people" was a popular view which described the School Styles of the three Zen Schools perfectly.

In the initial phase of Song Dynasty, Yunmen School reached its peak; its School Style was spreading to the whole country. After Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Yunmen School declined gradually. Yunmen Monastery underwent collapse and renovation again and again.

In 1943, Ven. Zen master Xuyun determined to renovate Yunmen Monastery to revitalize the Yunmen School after he saw the collapse of the ancient monastery. In 9 years, the renovation project was finished. In 1959, Ven. Zen master Foyuan who is the Dharma heir and disciple of Ven. Zen master Xuyun, served as abbot of Yunmen Monastery.

Yunmen Monastery contains 3000 mu monastic premise, building area is about 50,000 square metres.

It is a tradition that agriculture and Zen are both important to Yunmen Monastery.

Each day, the morning and evening recitation are practiced, monks having lunch at Dinning Hall. In the Meditation Hall, monks should meditate until six sticks of incense were burnt out.

Each winter, the monastery launches five Intensive Meditation Retreats (each lasts 7 days).

Monks in Yunmen Monastery planted paddy field, vegetable garden and fruit farm by themselves.

Each 15 days, the monastery performs Upavasa (Precepts teaching congregation).

In September, the monastery performs Summer Meditation Retreat. The Transmission of Precepts and Water & Land Dharma Service are performed frequently. Therefore, Yunmen Monastery is famous far and near.   [Translator: Wang Xinyu   Chinese Version ]