Shixian

Shíxián (; 1686–1734; courtesy name Sīqí) was a Chinese Buddhist monk of the Pure Land tradition. Shíxián, also known as Xǐng ān and Sheng'an, was an eminent Buddhist monk of the Qing dynasty and is recognized as the eleventh patriarch of the Chinese Pure Land School.

Overview A native of Chángshú, Jiāngsū province, Shíxián was born into a literati family and was well educated in the Confucian style before converting to Buddhism and becoming a monk at fifteen at Qingliang Monastery.

Shíxián was influenced by teachings of Yunqi Zhuhong (1535–1615), and taught that the practice of reciting Amitabha Buddha's name (nianfo) ought to be combined with the Buddhist ethical precepts. He thus taught by the motto: "Practice guided by the Brahma Net Sutra, aspiration directed to the Western Pure Land." Recorded Sayings of Dharma Master Xǐng'ān