Zhìshàn 至善
Late-17th to early-18th century Qīng Línjì-lineage Chán monk; dharma-heir of Sānshān Dēnglái 三山燈來 (1614–1685). Lifedates and full biographical details unrecorded.
Preface-writer for the Gāofēng Sānshān Lái chánshī nián pǔ 高峰三山來禪師年譜 KR6q0209 — the year-by-year biographical chronology of Dēnglái compiled by Biéān Xìngtǒng 別庵性統. The preface represents Zhìshàn’s institutional endorsement of Xìngtǒng’s biographical project as a legitimate preservation of their shared master’s memory.
name: 至善 pinyinName: Zhìshàn alternateNames: [汶翁, 萬峰, 萬峰童真, 童真至善, 童真善, 童真, 汶翁童真, 汝翁, Wènwēng, Wànfēng, Tóngzhēn] dynasty: 清 birthDate: deathDate: dilaAuthorityId: A019622
A separate Línjì-school Chán master also named Zhìshàn 至善, zì Tóngzhēn 童真 (“Childlike Truth”), biéhào Wènwēng 汶翁 / Wànfēng 萬峰. Línjì 大慧 派 dharma-heir of Qìngzhōng Tiěbì Huìjī 慶忠鐵壁慧機 (1608–1663), thus a co-disciple of Héngshān Dēngbǐng 燈炳 (cf. KR6q0554) and Qiáosōng Xuányì 玄億 (cf. KR6q0555). Lifedates unknown — active 1654–1678+. Native of Yúzhōu Jiāngjīn 渝州江津 (Sìchuān, Chóngqìng region); lay surname Jiāng 江; descendant of the Sòng-era 少師 Wéndìnggōng Yuān 文定公淵.
Formation. Began as shāmí under Qìngzhōng. At 15, reading the Dàhuì zǔlù at the zhúbìzǐ 竹篦子 gōngàn, raised doubt. 甲午 = 1654 met Sānshān 三山和尚 (= 三山燈來!) at Chóngshèng 崇聖. After two more years and a reading of the Jùyún lù 聚雲錄 at the Chángshā Huìān gōngàn, broke through and received final yìnkě from Qìngzhōng.
Abbacies (Húběi). Húguǎng Déānfǔ Xiàogǎnxiàn Jiǎntáng chányuàn 湖廣德安府孝感縣簡堂禪院; Déānfǔ Xiàogǎnxiàn Gāofēng chányuàn 德安府孝感縣高峰禪院 (entered 康熙十七年戊午閏三月十二日 = 1678). In 康熙七年 = 1668 at Èzhōu Dàbiéshān Wòyúnān 鄂州大別山臥雲庵 (WǔHàn region) overlapping with 玄億’s tenure.
Work. KR6q0556 《萬峰童真禪師語錄》 6 juan (DILA: 5 juan), J39 B441, recorded by shìzhě Délín 德林 jì; preface by Lǐ Dàojì 李道濟 (Píngshān Lóngsūn) of Jízhōu dated 康熙丁未孟夏 = 1667 lunar 4.
Sources: 《萬峰童真禪師語錄》 vol. 1 〈行由〉; 《續燈正統》 vol. 18 (X84 n1583).