Shì Zànníng 釋贊寧
Major Northern-Sòng-period Buddhist monk-scholar, surname Gāo 高 of Déqīng 德清. Born 919 (DILA dating, HòuLiáng Zhēnmíng 5); died 1001 (Sòng Xiánpíng 4, Shìshì yínián lù citation). The catalog meta gives 918–999 — close but slightly different, and the DILA dates 919–1001 are followed here.
Entered the monkhood at Hángzhōu’s Lóngxīngsì 龍興寺. Recognised early for his scholarship in Vinaya and historical writing — hence his honorific Lǜhǔ 律虎 (“Tiger of Vinaya”). The WúYuè king Qián Liú 錢鏐 appointed him Liǎngzhè Sēngtǒng 兩浙僧統 (Supervisor-Monk of the Two Zhè regions). After the WúYuè surrender to the Sòng (978), Zànníng was received at the court of Sòng Tàizōng, who summoned him to the Zīfúdiàn 滋福殿 for audience and commanded him to compile the Sòng gāosēng zhuàn 宋高僧傳 (Sòng Biographies of Eminent Monks) in 30 juàn — the canonical Buddhist biographical compilation of the post-Tang period. He was awarded Tōnghuì Dàshī by imperial decree.
In Xiánpíng he was promoted to Yòujiē Sēnglù 右街僧錄. Died Zhìdào 2 (per catalog meta) or Xiánpíng 4 (per DILA); given posthumous name Yuánmíng Dàshī 圓明大師.
His attested works:
- Sòng gāosēng zhuàn 宋高僧傳 in 30 juàn — the standard Sòng biographical compilation, T2061.
- Wùlèi xiānggǎn zhì 物類相感志 — lost in the original; later transmitted recensions are forgeries.
- Sǔnpǔ 筍譜 (KR3i0041) — the foundational Chinese monograph on bamboo-shoots, structured in five categories on the model of Lù Yǔ’s Chájīng.
- Various Vinaya commentaries (now mostly lost).