Many generations of fully indoctrinated monks, warrior monks, and secular disciples have passed down knowledge of The Three Treasures of Shaolin: Chán (禅), Wǔ (武), and Yī (醫) for centuries. This inheritance of knowledge is strictly from master to disciple. This relationship is a most fundamental demonstration of the patriarchal clan system, traditional to Shaolin Temple.
Shaolin's patriarchal clan system was established in the 13th century by Abbot Xuětíng Fúyù (雪庭福裕). Adoption of this system, which formed the grass roots structure in ancient Chinese society, had far reaching impacts on the temple and Shaolin Wǔgōng (武功). At the peak of its historical influence, Shaolin Monastery managed twenty five sub-temples. In the thirteenth year of the reign of the Emperor Yōngzhèng (雍正) during the Qing Dynasty (清朝) (1735 AD), the imperial court carried out a major rectification of the patriarchal clans of the Shaolin Temple. As of 2017, Shaolin Monastery managed twelve sub-temples in China and has established numerous affiliated temples in other countries.
Dharma Name
Shaolin monks, like most Buddhist monks, receive a Dharma Name or monastic name during their initiation ceremony. Shaolin Dharma Names are an aggregate consisting of the following elements:
Title
The Surname or Title for all Shaolin monks and secular disciples is the same Shì (釋) as in Shìjiāmóní (釋迦摩尼), the Chinese transliteration of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. This signifies Shaolin monks are all part of the extended Buddhist family. During the Sung dynasty, Chinese Buddhist monasticism decreed that all members of the Sēngjiā (僧伽) should bear the surname Shì, as they spiritually belong to the large family of Shìjiāmóní. In Chinese culture, it's customary to call someone by their surname first. Occasionally, the term Shì is dropped in conversation, leaving the last two components as personally identifying terms.
Generation Name
The Generation Name for Shaolin monks is taken from a clan naming system based on a generation poem. The generation poem specific to Shaolin Monastery consists of seventy words and was composed, by Abbot Xuětíng Fúyù, at the beginning of the Song Dynasty. This poem was written for successive generations to derive the second component of their names.
Unique Personal Name
A unique personal name is the last component of a Shaolin Dharma Name. It's given by the master to the disciple according to the disciple's unique personal traits, skills, or characteristics. While it's possible to have many masters, typically, a monk keeps the name given to him by his first master.
Current Generations
At present, Shaolin Temple monks continue to follow the 13th century naming system of Xuětíng Fúyù. In nearly 800 years, there have been approximately thirty-five generations of monks. As of 2017, representatives of the current living generations feature the ideograms of Dé (德), Xíng (行), Yǒng (永), Yán (延), and Héng (恒) as the generational component of their Dharma Name. All the monks do keep their original birth names, for legal reasons. For example, passports and visas are given under birth names, not monk names.
Shaolin Patriarchal Clan System
Xuětíng Fúyù was an abbot of the Shaolin Monastery from the Cáodòng (曹洞) sect of Chán Buddhism (禅佛教). He's famous for inviting Wǔgōng (武功) experts from all of China to Shaolin for the purpose of discussing, practicing, and refining their technique. These symposiums were held three times, each for a period of three years. When these Wǔgōng experts returned to their home towns, they brought Shaolin techniques with them. This is why many Gōngfū (功夫) systems can trace their roots to the Shaolin Temple, and why Shaolin is sometimes known as "The birthplace of Chinese martial arts".
Furhtermore, Fúyù wrote the seventy word generation poem that is used for generational naming at the Shaolin Monastery. Each successive generation uses the next word in the poem. For example, the generational name of a monk or disciple of the 32nd generation would be Xing (行), as it is the 32nd word in the poem, and his master's generational name would be Dé (德), as it is the 31st word in the poem. Monks of the Shaolin Temple come from all over the world and each is required to learn the seventy word generational poem by heart.
Shaolin Lineage Generational Poem
嵩山少林寺曹洞
Only the holy person can understand the way, then one may attain wisdom and bliss.
Using the whole to see the principles, you may understand the way.
We must spread Chan like rays of sun all over the world.
All the branches of Buddhism celebrate the same root.
Clarity and stillness are deep as the sea.
When you abandon attachments, your true face emerges.
Only virtue is never ending, your pure heart never changes.
When your heart is still, its brightness will dispel the darkness.
Your true nature is the highest.
If you are loyal, upright, and kind, you will receive happiness and peace.
Always remember your Buddha heart.
Following the spirit of Huike, this is the way to Buddhahood.
A More Literal Translation
Blessed and talented, an intelligent young man will grow into awareness.
You are originally in a state of completion and thus apt to understand.
All around in the universe the Buddhist doctrine spreads.
We celebrate that our principle comes from the same ancestry.
The Buddhist state is pure and quiet, vast as the sea.
In the profound silence our chastity and nativeness are enhanced.
Our moral conduct will endure forever, and our bodies are constantly firm.
A mind that is crystal clear can light up the depth of the mountains.
Your true nature can make one bright enough to distinguish nobility from treachery.
Faithfulness, decency, and virtuousness will bring happiness and auspiciousness.
We cautiously keep in mind our original course in the crossing.
The snowy courtyard is like a teacher, that will guide you to return to a bright road.
A More Correct Translation
Blessed wisdom inspires enlightenment.
Fulfillment follows sudden insight.
Spread Chan like rays of sun all over the world.
All the branches of Buddhism celebrate the same root.
The Buddhist state is pure and quiet, vast as the sea.
When you abandon attachments, your true nature emerges.
Only virtue is never ending, a pure heart never changes.
When your mind is still, it enlightens deep understanding.
Remain loyal, upright, and virtuous to ensure happiness and peace.
Always remember your Buddha heart.
Following the spirit of Huike exemplifies the guiding light.
Leading all on the way to Buddhahood.
Shaolin Generational Names List
Caution
Unfortunately today, generational names have been misused used by many fraudsters, claiming to be Shaolin masters, to fool innocent students and the public who assume it's an indication of authenticity, credibility, superiority, authority, knowledge, or skill level. Truth be told, a generational name is not criteria to measure or denote the level of one's knowledge or skills. For example, a novice accepted as a disciple by a master of generation Sù (30) should never claim to be better than an experienced and well trained student under a master of Generation Yán (34). Just as two disciples under the same master may not be as equally skilled or knowledgeable.
Shaolin's patriarchal clan system was established in the 13th century by Abbot Xuětíng Fúyù (雪庭福裕). Adoption of this system, which formed the grass roots structure in ancient Chinese society, had far reaching impacts on the temple and Shaolin Wǔgōng (武功). At the peak of its historical influence, Shaolin Monastery managed twenty five sub-temples. In the thirteenth year of the reign of the Emperor Yōngzhèng (雍正) during the Qing Dynasty (清朝) (1735 AD), the imperial court carried out a major rectification of the patriarchal clans of the Shaolin Temple. As of 2017, Shaolin Monastery managed twelve sub-temples in China and has established numerous affiliated temples in other countries.
Dharma Name
Shaolin monks, like most Buddhist monks, receive a Dharma Name or monastic name during their initiation ceremony. Shaolin Dharma Names are an aggregate consisting of the following elements:
- Title/Surname/ Prefix
- Generation Name
- Unique Personal Name
Title
The Surname or Title for all Shaolin monks and secular disciples is the same Shì (釋) as in Shìjiāmóní (釋迦摩尼), the Chinese transliteration of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. This signifies Shaolin monks are all part of the extended Buddhist family. During the Sung dynasty, Chinese Buddhist monasticism decreed that all members of the Sēngjiā (僧伽) should bear the surname Shì, as they spiritually belong to the large family of Shìjiāmóní. In Chinese culture, it's customary to call someone by their surname first. Occasionally, the term Shì is dropped in conversation, leaving the last two components as personally identifying terms.
Generation Name
The Generation Name for Shaolin monks is taken from a clan naming system based on a generation poem. The generation poem specific to Shaolin Monastery consists of seventy words and was composed, by Abbot Xuětíng Fúyù, at the beginning of the Song Dynasty. This poem was written for successive generations to derive the second component of their names.
Unique Personal Name
A unique personal name is the last component of a Shaolin Dharma Name. It's given by the master to the disciple according to the disciple's unique personal traits, skills, or characteristics. While it's possible to have many masters, typically, a monk keeps the name given to him by his first master.
Current Generations
At present, Shaolin Temple monks continue to follow the 13th century naming system of Xuětíng Fúyù. In nearly 800 years, there have been approximately thirty-five generations of monks. As of 2017, representatives of the current living generations feature the ideograms of Dé (德), Xíng (行), Yǒng (永), Yán (延), and Héng (恒) as the generational component of their Dharma Name. All the monks do keep their original birth names, for legal reasons. For example, passports and visas are given under birth names, not monk names.
Shaolin Patriarchal Clan System
Xuětíng Fúyù was an abbot of the Shaolin Monastery from the Cáodòng (曹洞) sect of Chán Buddhism (禅佛教). He's famous for inviting Wǔgōng (武功) experts from all of China to Shaolin for the purpose of discussing, practicing, and refining their technique. These symposiums were held three times, each for a period of three years. When these Wǔgōng experts returned to their home towns, they brought Shaolin techniques with them. This is why many Gōngfū (功夫) systems can trace their roots to the Shaolin Temple, and why Shaolin is sometimes known as "The birthplace of Chinese martial arts".
Furhtermore, Fúyù wrote the seventy word generation poem that is used for generational naming at the Shaolin Monastery. Each successive generation uses the next word in the poem. For example, the generational name of a monk or disciple of the 32nd generation would be Xing (行), as it is the 32nd word in the poem, and his master's generational name would be Dé (德), as it is the 31st word in the poem. Monks of the Shaolin Temple come from all over the world and each is required to learn the seventy word generational poem by heart.
Shaolin Lineage Generational Poem
Seventy Word Continuous Generation Poem Strategy for the Orthodox Cáodòng Sect of the Shaolin Temple at Sōng Mountain
Literally:
"Song Mountain Shaolin Temple Caodong Orthodox Sect Verse Continuous Seventy Word Generation Rhyming Scheme"
 |
| This is written in the contemporary format. It is read from left to right and top to bottom. |
诗續正宗七十字輩訣
福慧智子覺 了本圓可悟
周洪普廣宗 道慶同玄祖
清靜真如海 湛寂淳貞素
德行永延恒 妙體常堅固
心朗照幽深 性明鑒宗祚
忠正善禧祥 謹悫原濟度
雪庭為導師 引汝歸鉉路
Sōng Shān Shàolín Sì Cáodòng Zhèng Zōng Shīxù Qīshí Zì Bèi Jué
fú huì zhì zi jué liǎo běn yuán kě wù
zhōu hóng pǔ guǎng zōng dào qìng tóng xuán zǔ
qīng jìng zhēn rú hǎi zhàn jì chún zhēn sù
dé xíng yǒng yán héng miào tǐ cháng jiān gù
xīn lǎng zhào yōu shēn xìng míng jiàn zōng zuò
zhōng zhèng shàn xǐ xiáng jǐn què yuán jì dù
xuě tíng wèi dǎo shī yǐn rǔ guī xuàn lù
A Poetic Translationfú huì zhì zi jué liǎo běn yuán kě wù
 |
| This is written in the classical format. It is read from top to bottom and right to left. Interestingly, the calligrapher used incorrect ideograms for words 67 and 69. |
qīng jìng zhēn rú hǎi zhàn jì chún zhēn sù
dé xíng yǒng yán héng miào tǐ cháng jiān gù
xīn lǎng zhào yōu shēn xìng míng jiàn zōng zuò
zhōng zhèng shàn xǐ xiáng jǐn què yuán jì dù
xuě tíng wèi dǎo shī yǐn rǔ guī xuàn lù
Using the whole to see the principles, you may understand the way.
We must spread Chan like rays of sun all over the world.
All the branches of Buddhism celebrate the same root.
Clarity and stillness are deep as the sea.
When you abandon attachments, your true face emerges.
Only virtue is never ending, your pure heart never changes.
When your heart is still, its brightness will dispel the darkness.
Your true nature is the highest.
If you are loyal, upright, and kind, you will receive happiness and peace.
Always remember your Buddha heart.
Following the spirit of Huike, this is the way to Buddhahood.
A More Literal Translation
Blessed and talented, an intelligent young man will grow into awareness.
You are originally in a state of completion and thus apt to understand.
All around in the universe the Buddhist doctrine spreads.
We celebrate that our principle comes from the same ancestry.
The Buddhist state is pure and quiet, vast as the sea.
In the profound silence our chastity and nativeness are enhanced.
Our moral conduct will endure forever, and our bodies are constantly firm.
A mind that is crystal clear can light up the depth of the mountains.
Your true nature can make one bright enough to distinguish nobility from treachery.
Faithfulness, decency, and virtuousness will bring happiness and auspiciousness.
We cautiously keep in mind our original course in the crossing.
The snowy courtyard is like a teacher, that will guide you to return to a bright road.
A More Correct Translation
Blessed wisdom inspires enlightenment.
 |
This is written in the classical format.
It is read from top to bottom and
right to left. |
Spread Chan like rays of sun all over the world.
All the branches of Buddhism celebrate the same root.
The Buddhist state is pure and quiet, vast as the sea.
When you abandon attachments, your true nature emerges.
Only virtue is never ending, a pure heart never changes.
When your mind is still, it enlightens deep understanding.
Remain loyal, upright, and virtuous to ensure happiness and peace.
Always remember your Buddha heart.
Following the spirit of Huike exemplifies the guiding light.
Leading all on the way to Buddhahood.
Shaolin Generational Names List
Generation
|
Generation
Name
|
Generation
|
Generation
Name
|
1
|
Fú
|
36
|
Miào
|
2
|
Hui
|
37
|
Tǐ
|
3
|
Zhi
|
38
|
Cháng
|
4
|
Zi
|
39
|
Jiān
|
5
|
Jué
|
40
|
Gù
|
6
|
Liǎo
|
41
|
Xīn
|
7
|
Běn
|
42
|
Lǎng
|
8
|
Yuán
|
43
|
Zhào
|
9
|
Kě
|
44
|
Yōu
|
10
|
Wù
|
45
|
Shēn
|
11
|
Zhōu
|
46
|
Xìng
|
12
|
Hóng
|
47
|
Mìng
|
13
|
Pǔ
|
48
|
Jiàn
|
14
|
Guǎng
|
49
|
Zōng
|
15
|
Zōng
|
50
|
Zuò
|
16
|
Dào
|
51
|
Zhōng
|
17
|
Qìng
|
52
|
Zhèng
|
18
|
Tóng
|
53
|
Shàn
|
19
|
Xuán
|
54
|
Xǐ
|
20
|
Zǔ
|
55
|
Xiáng
|
21
|
Qīng
|
56
|
Jǐn
|
22
|
Jìng
|
57
|
Què
|
23
|
Zhēn
|
58
|
Yuán
|
24
|
Rú
|
59
|
Jì
|
25
|
Hǎi
|
60
|
Dù
|
26
|
Zhàn
|
61
|
Xuě
|
27
|
Jì
|
62
|
Tíng
|
28
|
Chún
|
63
|
Wèi
|
29
|
Zhēn
|
64
|
Dǎo
|
30
|
Sù
|
65
|
Shī
|
31
|
Dé
|
66
|
Yǐn
|
32
|
Xíng
|
67
|
Rǔ
|
33
|
Yǒng
|
68
|
Guī
|
34
|
Yán
|
69
|
Xuàn
|
35
|
Héng
|
70
|
Lù
|
Caution
Unfortunately today, generational names have been misused used by many fraudsters, claiming to be Shaolin masters, to fool innocent students and the public who assume it's an indication of authenticity, credibility, superiority, authority, knowledge, or skill level. Truth be told, a generational name is not criteria to measure or denote the level of one's knowledge or skills. For example, a novice accepted as a disciple by a master of generation Sù (30) should never claim to be better than an experienced and well trained student under a master of Generation Yán (34). Just as two disciples under the same master may not be as equally skilled or knowledgeable.
No comments:
Post a Comment