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Huineng

638 – 713

Semi-legendary Chinese Chan (Zen) patriarch

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About Huineng

Lived 638 – 713 (aged 74–75). Huineng was a Chinese philosopher, poet, writer, patriarch and monk.

Dajian Huineng or Hui-neng (; trad. 638-713 ), also commonly known as the Sixth Patriarch or Sixth Ancestor of Chan , is a semi-legendary but central figure in the early history of Chinese Chan Buddhism.

According to tradition Huineng was an uneducated layman who suddenly attained awakening upon hearing the Diamond Sutra. Despite his lack of formal training, he demonstrated his understanding to the fifth patriarch, Daman Hongren, who then supposedly chose Huineng as his true successor instead of his publicly known selection of Yuquan Shenxiu. Huineng is regarded as the founder of the "Sudden Enlightenment" Southern Chan school of Buddhism, which focuses on an immediate and direct attainment of Buddhist enlightenment. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch , which is said to be a record of his teachings, is a highly influential text in the East Asian Buddhist tradition.

20th century scholarship revealed that the story of Huineng's Buddhist career was likely invented by the monk Shenhui, who claimed to be one of Huineng's disciples and was highly critical of Shenxiu's teaching.

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
713, Shaoguan
Nationality
Also known as
the Sixth Patriarch, Luzu, Lu-zu, Lu Zu, Liuzu, Liu-tsu
moreLiu Tsu, Liu Zu, Hui Neng, Shi Huineng, Dajian Chanshi, Luxingzhe

People in Huineng's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Huineng's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Huineng?

semi-legendary Chinese Chan (Zen) patriarch

When was Huineng born?

Huineng was born on 27 February 638 in Xinxing County.

When did Huineng die?

Huineng died in 713 in Shaoguan.

What was Huineng's occupation?

Huineng was a philosopher, poet, writer, patriarch and monk.

What nationality was Huineng?

Huineng was Chinese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Huineng

· Wikidata: Q345012

· DBpedia: Huineng

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Huineng. https://biography.guide/huineng/

MLA: "Huineng." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/huineng/.

Chicago: "Huineng." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/huineng/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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