Chāozì 超自, zì Héyī 何一 (“How One”); often referred to as Héyī Chāozì 何一超自. LínjìYángqí dharma-heir of Xìngkōng Xíngzhēn 行臻 (1608–1678). Lifedates unknown. Native of Hénán Qǐxiàn 河南杞縣; lay surname Wáng 王.
Formation. At 19 met an unusual monk who urged him to leave the world; tonsured at Dà-liáng Mí-tuó-sì 大梁彌陀寺 under Jìng-wú 靜梧法師. Day-and-night devotions to Avalokiteśvara; dreams of a gā-lán (monastery-protector spirit). Went south, joined Qīng-quán-sì 清泉寺 as zhī-kè 知客, then promoted to chán-táng. Drowsy at first, took up cān-fǎng under Cuì-lín chán-shī 翠林禪師 — finally found grip in cān-chán. Travelled north to Yān-shān 燕山 to study under Bù-yè-tiān-shī 不夜天師 (= Tiān-tóng Bù-yè-tiān) and took precepts under Yù-lín 玉林和尚. Held abbacy at Chóng-níng chán-yuàn 崇寧禪院. Later visited by Xìng-kōng 行臻 and received fù-fǎ.
Disciples. Twelve fǎsì including Yuánfēng Míngxiū 元峰明修 明修, Kǒngyì Mínghuì 孔意明惠 明惠, Lǚān Míngzhì 旅菴明智 明智 (all named in KR6q0575 as compilers).
Works.
- Lead compiler (děng biān) of his teacher’s yǔlù KR6q0574 《性空臻禪師語錄》 6 juan, J39 B461.
- Own yǔlù KR6q0575 《何一自禪師語錄》 2 juan, J39 B462.
Sources. 《何一自禪師語錄》 vol. 2 〈行實〉; 《五燈全書》.