Chiyono (personal name)
born:   1223
died:   1298    75 years

place:  Japan
Zen master:  J. Bukko Kokushi (Ch. Wuxue)
Zen disciples:  none recorded
Chiyono is known from the story of her carrying the
lacquer bucket, of which the bottom broke, the water
falling out--and she gained enlightenment.  Other
than being one of the rare women in Zen history with
a story attributed to her, she also has as a master
the Chinese adept Wuxue, who was one of the first
Chinese Chan masters who came to Japan and
taught across the language barrier.  He is usually
known by his Japanese posthumous name of Bukko.
stories:

Osho
No Water, No Moon, ch. 1
          oshobob  The Living Workshop                                            
                                                    Zen Masters
Chiyono
a life-like statue made in the 13th
century Japan, of the female Zen
master near the end of her life, head
shaved in the Zen tradition.
A woodblock print of Chiyono and the
broken bucket done by Japanese artist
Yoshitoshi 1839-1892.
Mugai Nyodai (Zen name) 無外如大
That's what happened: this nun, Chiyono,
studied for years and years and nothing
happened. Mind can study about God, about
enlightenment, about the ultimate. It can
even pretend that everything has been
understood. But God is not something you
have to understand. Even if you know
everything about God, you don't know him;
knowledge is not 'about'. Whenever you say
'about', you belong to the outside. You may
be moving round and round, but you have
not entered the circle...

                                          --Osho
                            No Water, No Moon, ch. 1