Jīnbiàn 今辯 (also written 今辨), zì Lèshuō 樂說 (“Joyful Discourse”). Cáodòng dharma-heir of Tiānrán Hánshì 天然函昰 函昰 (1608–1685). Born 1637, died 康熙乙亥 1/8 = 1695-02-20, age 59, fǎlà 38. Native of Pānyú 番禺 (Guǎngzhōu); lay surname Mài 麥.
Formation. Initially trained under Hǎifǎ 海法禪師 in scripture and fànxíng (pure conduct). At 19 went to Kuānglú 匡廬 (= 廬山) to seek tonsure under Tiānrán. Took full ordination at Léifēng 雷峰 in 順治庚子 = 1660. When Dànguī Jīnshì 澹歸今釋 opened Dānxiá 丹霞, accompanied Tiānrán there for several years. Received fùfǎ (dharma-transmission) in 康熙丁未 = 1667 and fēnzuò (co-abbacy) at Dānxiá in 戊申 = 1668. Successively held Hǎizhuàng 海幢, Léifēng 雷峰, Yǒngníng 永寧, and Chángqìng 長慶 — hence the alternate appellation 海幢今辯.
Works. Re-compiler (zhòngbiān 重編) of his teacher’s yǔlù KR6q0526 《廬山天然禪師語錄》 12 juan, J38 B406, printed in 1670 with a preface by Lù Shìkǎi 陸世楷 (今亙). His own yǔlù survives in CBETA Jiāxīng (J39 B450 Lèshuō Biàn chánshī yǔlù).
Sources. 《丹霞山志》 vol. 3; 《丹霞山志》 vol. 5 〈樂說辯禪師塔銘〉; 《西禪長慶寺志》 vol. 2.