Research on the Works of Bhiksu Shengke in Chongqing in the Early Qing Dynasty

Abstract

Bhiksu Shengkedeyu (1628~1701), a Zen-Buddhist monk of Linji school in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty, was the successor of the Buddhist monk of Poshan.He founded Chongqing Huayan Temple, the “first famous temple in east Sichuan”, and has an important influence in the Buddhist circle in southwest China and even in the whole country. After receiving the precepts, Shengke first learned Chan School(禪宗), then went to Baohua Mountain of Nanjing to learn the Vinaya Schoo(l 律宗)，and then began to advocate the parallel between Chan School and Vinaya School. Shengke integrated Buddhist theories and Confucianism theories to established his own theory. He is a scholar type eminent monk who integrated Zen master, calligrapher and poet. There are three kinds of Buddhist scripture notes and two kinds of statement records, which focus on his integrated Chan School thoughts. Shengke is an important figure in the Bashu Buddhist circle at the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. His works, as an integral part of the Chan School writings in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, help to build the history of Bashu Buddhism, especially the history of Chongqing Buddhism, and also help to make up for the lack of Bashu history, especially the Chongqing history.