Biographies of the Five Great Buddhist Masters of the Late Ming

This is a full-length novel inspired by the late Ming dynasty's Four Great Buddhist Masters, Yunqi Zhuhong, Zibo Zhenke, Hanshan Deqing, and Ouyi Zhixu, as well as Master Jiaoguang. Following the framework of historical chronologies, the novel explores the essence of Buddhism in an accessible way through their cultivation, relationships, debates, and inner worlds. Its twists and turns make for a compelling read. Against the backdrop of a declining age and a shattered land, these five eminent monks, each with different aptitudes, teachings, and experiences, devote themselves together to practicing and spreading Mahayana Buddhism, embodying the bodhisattva spirit of "remaining steadfast while adapting to circumstances, and adapting to circumstances without wavering." Their friendships, debates, and mutual support reveal both the sharpening of great masters in the Buddhist tradition and the vivid expression of Buddhism's all-embracing harmony.