Baofeng Zen Temple

Baofeng City, Jiangxi Province, China

This is the site where Zen master
Mazu's stupa is located. The Chinese
characters on the pillar read from the
top, "Ma"(his surname), "Zu" (ancestor,
or patriarch).
Osho book discussing many stories of the
famous Mazu:
Ma Tzu: The Empty Mirror
Baofeng Chan Si

    Mazu had three outstanding disciples who enjoyed a special intimacy
    with him. They were Nanquan, Zhizang, and Huaihai . One evening,
    as the three disciples were attending on their master, enjoying the
    moon together, he asked them what they thought would be the best
    way of spending such a night.

    Zhizang was the first to answer. He said, "A good time to make
    offerings."  Huaihai said, "A good time to cultivate one's spiritual life."
    Nanquan made no answer, but shook his sleeves and went away.

    Mazu turned to Zhizang and said, "The sutras will join the zang." (He
    was making a pun on Zhizang's name, zang, which in Chinese means
    'basket', as in carrying the word of Buddha.)

     He turned toward Huaihai and said: "Dhyana will return to the sea."
    (Mazu was making a second pun, since, in Chinese, hai means 'sea'.)

    Then Mazu concluded, "Nanquan alone transcends the realm of all
    things, all by himself."

    Mazu:
    Mazu Daoyi
    (Baso Doitsu,
    Jap.) 709-788


    3 disciples of
    Mazu in this story:

    Nanquan:
    Nanquan Puyuan
    (Nansen Fugan,
    Jap.)
    748-835

    Zhizang:
    Xitang Zhizang
    (Seido Chizo,
    Jap.)
    735-814

    Huaihai:
    Baizhang Huaihai
    (Hyakujo Ekai,
    Jap.)
    720-814
Maps of
Baofeng Zen
Temple
location.
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                                                  Zen Temples in China
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