Poshan Haiming (Chinese:破山海明; 8 March 1597 – 19 April 1666) was a towering figure inChineseChan Buddhism during the lateMing and earlyQing dynasties.^[1][2] Revered as the "Little Śākyamuni" and the founder of theShuanggui Temple (Double Laurel Temple), he revitalized theLinji school of Chan Buddhism insouthwestern China, leaving an indelible mark on Buddhist history.^[1][2]

Poshan Haiming was born on 8 March 1597, inDazhu County,Sichuan, during the lateMing dynasty (1368–1644), to Jian Hong (蹇弘), a descent from a prominent Ming dynasty official Jian Yi (蹇义).^[1][2][3] Hisancestral home was in Ba County (now inChongqing). He was given the secular name Jian Dongyu (蹇栋宇).^[1][2] At age 19, disillusioned with worldly life, he renounced his family and was ordained under Chan master Dachi (大持) at the Jiangjia Temple (姜家庵) in his home-county, receiving the monastic name Haiming (海明) and theart name Xudong (旭东).^[1][2] He initially studied the Śūraṅgama Sūtra but was plagued by doubts.^[1][2] This prompted a journey across China, he visited sacred sites likeSizu Temple inHubei and engaging in rigorous meditation at Potou Mountain (破头山).^[1][2]

For years, Poshan Haiming secluded himself on Potou Mountain, embracing extreme asceticism. During this period, he adopted the name "Poshan" (破山; 'Breaking Mountain'), symbolizing both his location and the shattering of delusions.^[1][2] In a transformative incident, he fell from a cliff, severely injuring his leg.^[1][2][3] The intense pain provoked a profound awakening, deepening his understanding of Chan principles.^[1][2][3] He later studied underMiyun Yuanwu at theJinsu Temple inZhejiang.^[1][2][3] Their "mind-to-mind seal" confirmed him as a legitimate heir of the Caoxi lineage, solidifying his role in the Linji school.^[1][2][3]

In 1629, Poshan Haiming began his teaching career at Dongta Temple in Zhejiang, where he compiled discourses and attracted disciples. By 1632, he returned to Sichuan, presiding over major temples like Wanffng Temple and Taiping Temple.^[1][2][3] His sermons drew followers fromYunnan,Guizhou, and beyond.^[1][2][3] In 1653, with support from general Yao Yulin (姚玉麟) , he established Shuanggui Temple in Liangping.^[1][2][3] According to legend, two laurel trees gifted by his teacher symbolized the site's sanctity.^[1][2] The temple became the "Leading Temple of Southwest China".^[1][2]

On 19 April 1666, Poshan Haiming died at Shuanggui Temple at age 70.^[1][2][3] He ordained over 100 disciples and authorized 87 dharma heirs, spreading his teachings acrossEast Asia andNorth America.^[1][2][3]

Poshan Haiming composed over 1,300 poems reflecting on nature, war, and human suffering.^[1][2] He also mastered cursive calligraphy, praised for its elegance and depth.^[1][2]

• Shi Daojian (释道坚), ed. (2007-03-01).破山海明禅师语录 [Quotations from Chan Master Poshan Haiming] (in Chinese). Beijing: Religious Culture Publishing House.ISBN 9787801238450.
• Xiong Shaohua (熊少华), ed. (2014).破山禅师法书 [Calligraphy by Chan Master Poshan Haiming] (in Chinese). Chongqing: Chongqing Publishing House.ISBN 9787229070748.

• Xiong Shaohua (熊少华) (2019).破山禅师评传 [Critical Biography of Chan Master Poshan Haiming]. Chongqing: Chongqing Publishing House.ISBN 9787229140908.

• 1597 births
• 1666 deaths
• People from Dazhu County
• Rinzai Buddhists
• Ming dynasty Buddhist monks
• Qing dynasty Buddhist monks
• Ming dynasty poets
• Qing dynasty poets
• Ming dynasty calligraphers
• Qing dynasty calligraphers

• CS1 uses Chinese-language script (zh)
• CS1 Chinese-language sources (zh)
• Articles containing Chinese-language text
• Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text