During the Ming Dynasty, there was an eminent monk in Chengdu, Sichuan, known as Zen Master Yongci. His lay name was Yu, and his name was Yu Haizhou. He was born in the 27th year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty (AD 1394). Yu Haizhou's parents died when h

During the years of the Ming Dynasty, there was an eminent monk in Chengdu, Sichuan, known as Zen Master Yongci. His lay name was Yu, and his name was Yu Haizhou. He was born in the 27th year of Hongwu of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang (AD 1394).

Yu Haizhou's parents died when he was young and he was raised by relatives. He has been connected with the Three Jewels since he was a child. He would be happy when he saw the monks passing by and felt close to them.

Once, he heard a monk say: "Life and death are important matters." He immediately felt it in his heart and vowed to become a monk in order to escape life and death.

After he became a monk, he took the Buddhist name "Yongci". He practiced diligently and had considerable wisdom. However, he suffered from the lack of guidance from a famous teacher and was unable to achieve enlightenment.

Later, he studied everywhere and visited famous teachers. The first famous teacher he met was the eminent monk Taichu.

Master Taichu wanted to test Monk Yongci's sharpness, so he asked him: "Who were you before your parents gave birth to you?"

Monk Yongci heard this and did not answer. He just walked quietly from the side of the Zen room. Walk to the west and stand with your hands crossed.

Master Taichu said to Monk Yongci: "No, no, let's talk again." Monk Yongci replied at this time: "Two eyes, two eyes." Master Taichu then nodded to express approval.

In the second year of Xuande reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty, monk Yongci left Sichuan and came to the capital to study. In the capital, he received full ordination and officially became a monk.

Then, he went south to Jinling , and then was invited by the monk Xuefeng to live in Hangzhou for a while. Soon after, Monk Yongci went to Dongshan to pay homage to the eminent monk Dongming.

After the two met, Monk Yongci took the initiative and asked with Zen wisdom: "Who can wear the Wuxiang Futian robe?" Master Dongming did not answer, but reached out and slapped Monk Yongci.

Monk Yongci asked: " The four elements are empty, why are you hitting me?" Master Dongming didn't reply and slapped Monk Yongci again. Monk Yongci said: "If a palm is not used as a palm, what if I hit it?"

Master Dongming still didn't say anything, raised his hand and slapped Monk Yongci again. Monk Yongci was slapped three times in succession. Not only was he not angry, but he also said respectfully: "Old monk is indeed worthy of his reputation." Then he bowed to Master Dongming three times.

Master Dongming finally spoke at this time. In front of all the disciples, he pointed at the monk Yongci and said in an appreciative tone: "The old monk has lived in this mountain for more than thirty years, and I just saw this monk today!"

Dongming The master enthusiastically allowed Monk Yongci to live in the temple, and later expressed his hope that Monk Yongci would inherit his mantle.

Monk Yongci declined and said, "Thank you, Master, for your appreciation, but I am not here for the mantle." After saying that, he said goodbye and went down the mountain. Master Dongming looked at the back of Monk Yongci and said with a smile: "My mantle will still be passed on to you ten years later."

After leaving Hangzhou, Monk Yongci returned to Jinling to reside in Xi. Ming Yingzong orthodox year, a eunuch named Yuan Cheng called on faithful men and women to raise funds to rebuild Yishan Temple. The temple was large in scale and was a large jungle.

Yuan Cheng admired Monk Haizhou's cultivation very much, and specifically asked for an order to make Monk Yongci the abbot of Yishan Temple.

On the 29th day of the fifth lunar month in the fifth year of the Orthodox reign of Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, Master Dongming sent someone to send his cassock and whisk to Monk Yongci. Along with the cassock and whisk, there was also a poem by Master Dongming. The content of the gatha is as follows:

words Fu Ci Haizhou, I am not paid for visiting me.

Tomorrow next year, the west wind smiled and nodded.

This year, nine years have passed since the separation of Monk Yongci (Haizhou) and Master Dongming. On the 30th day of the fifth lunar month of the second year (the sixth year of orthodoxy), Master Dongming passed away as scheduled, exactly as the date mentioned in the verse.

After hearing the news of Master Dongming's death, Monk Yongci was grateful for Master Dongming's appreciation of him. He couldn't bear to violate Master Dongming's last wish, so he burned incense and bathed, inheriting Master Dongming's mantle.