The Chan Buddhist Lineage

The Chan Lineage is a long Buddhist novel tracing the history and transmission of Chan Buddhism across a thousand years, from the Venerable Kashyapa to Chan Master Xuyun. Strictly grounded in Chan historical records and the sayings of the patriarchs, the novel weaves in measured literary invention and uses vivid stories and wisdom-filled koans to portray the spiritual journeys of the twenty-eight Indian patriarchs and the six Chinese patriarchs. The story begins with “Kashyapa's smile at Vulture Peak,” tracing the origins of Chan's “special transmission outside the teachings.” It depicts major historical events in detail, including Bodhidharma's journey east, Huike's severed arm, Sengcan's Inscription on Faith in Mind, Daoxin's emphasis on both farming and meditation, Hongren's teaching of “guarding the original true mind,” and Huineng's sudden enlightenment and reforms. It then follows the two lineages of Nanyue Huairang and Qingyuan Xingsi, encompassing the flourishing of Chan in the mid and late Tang dynasty: Mazu establishing monasteries, Baizhang instituting monastic regulations, Zhaozhou serving tea, Linji's shouts, and Deshan's staff. The story continues through to the modern era, when Venerable Xuyun revitalized Chan and its lineage. The novel pays particular attention to the evolution of Chan thought and the firsthand experience of actual practice. It turns the Chan principle of “not relying on words and letters” into accessible literary storytelling, allowing readers to grasp the essence of Chan, “directly pointing to the human mind and seeing one's nature to become a Buddha,” amid a winding plot. It shows how a single lamp of the heart can shine undimmed across a thousand years.