Xuedou Chongxian

Xuedou (, 980–1052), courtesy name "Yinzhi" , Japanese translation "Setcho Juken", was a Chinese Buddhist monk of Chan Buddhism (Zen). He is best known for his collection of 100 koans which later became the foundation of the koan collection Blue Cliff Record.

Life According to Wudeng Huiyuan, Xuedou was born in the year 980 Even the imperial court was not able to neglect his fame and consequently bestowed the title "Chan Master Mingjue" (明覺禪師) on him.

He died in 1052 during the reign of emperor Renzong of Song.

Works A Xuedou poem:

One, seven, three, five - Nothing to rely on in this or any world; Nighttime falls and the water is flooded with moonlight. Here in the dragon's jaws: Many exquisite jewels.

There is an anecdote about Xuedou's last words. Near the end of his life, his pupils, regretting the inevitable death of their master, asked if there is anything that he wanted to say. Xuedou simply replied: "The only regret of my life was speaking too much." and "Xuedou niangu".

The sound of one hand Although Japanese Zen Master Hakuin Ekaku is credited with inventing the koan regarding the sound of one hand clapping, The Blue Cliff Record includes Xuedou's poetic commentary that "a single hand makes no clapping sound" appears 700 years earlier.