In Part 3, we explored the mothers of Ouyang Xiu, Xu Shu, the Yang family lineage, and a stepmother whose compassion transcended blood ties — each revealing a different expression of maternal influence in Chinese history. In this final part of the series, we turn to two remarkable figures: the mother of Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, and the extraordinary story of the daughter of the Mengyang family. Though their circumstances were vastly different, both accounts highlight how a mother’s guidance can shape not only individual lives but also the deeper moral and spiritual traditions that follow.
The mother of Huineng: A humble plum blossom whose virtue moved heaven and earth
According to tradition, Li Meiying, the mother of Huineng — the Sixth Patriarch of Chan (Zen) Buddhism — did not give birth to her son until she was forty years old. It is said that on the morning after Huineng’s birth, two elderly monks unexpectedly arrived at her home. They looked upon the child and said, “This child should be called Huineng. ‘Hui’ means wisdom that benefits and enlightens living beings. ‘Neng’ means the ability to accomplish the work of the Buddha.” This account is recorded in the Platform Sutra, one of the foundational texts of Zen Buddhism.
…
Read the full article on Nspirement
Comments