Jīnwú 今無, zì Āzì 阿字 (“the Letter A”), known as Hǎizhuàng ĀzìWú 海幢阿字無 from his principal abbacy. Cáodòng 35th-generation dharma-heir of Tiānrán Hánshì 天然函昰 函昰 (Bóshān 3rd-gen). Born 1633, died 康熙辛酉 9/22 辰時 = 1681-11-01, age 49, sēnglà 30. Native of Pānyú 番禺 (Guǎngzhōu); lay surname Wàn 萬.
Formation. At 16 (1648) went to Léifēng 雷峰 to take tonsure under Tiānrán. At 17 broke through on the cān Míng shàngzuò 參明上座 gōngàn upon hearing a cat. At 19 followed Tiānrán into the Kuānglú 匡廬 mountains; nearly died of cold-fever en route, was urged in a dream by a deity to “come into the world” (preach). At 22 (1654), at his teacher’s command, traveled north of Shānhǎiguān to study with the exiled Qiānshān Shèngrén Hánkě 函可 for three years. At 28 (1660) returned to Guǎngzhōu. After encountering a regional rebellion in Qídiàn 奇甸, returned via the northern frontier and the southern islands of Hǎinán, again attaching himself to Léifēng, where Tiānrán yìn him and made him head monk.
Abbacies. 壬寅 = 1662 entered Hǎi-zhuàng-sì 海幢寺 (Guǎngzhōu) — held this seat for twelve years. 癸丑 = 1673 went north as bearer of a Tripiṭaka petition; intercepted by political crisis (the Three Feudatories rebellion), wintered at the residence of Xiāo-fǔ 蕭府 in Shāndōng. 甲寅 = 1674 at Jīn-líng. 乙卯 = 1675 returned to Hǎi-zhuàng. 丙辰 = 1676 lectured on the Yuán-jué jīng; sealed himself in for half a year due to renewed war. The following year saw Tiān-rán off for his final return to Lú-shān. 戊午 = 1678 initiated the canon-storage hall (cáng-gé 藏閣) construction, sending his disciples out across the south to raise funds. Preached at six dharma-assemblies (É-hú 鵝湖, Hé-yuán 河源, Guǎngzhōu and elsewhere); transmitted the precepts for thirteen years. Total disciples (clerical and lay) over 1700.
Sole fǎsì. Yúnān Yún 雲菴雲 (Gǔyún 古雲, DILA A020908).
Works.
- KR6q0528 《海幢阿字無禪師語錄》 2 juan, J38 B408, zhòngbiān by his co-disciple Lèshuō Jīnbiàn 今辯.
- 《光宣臺集》 — collected literary works.
- Manuscript commentary on the Śūraṅgama-sūtra (《楞嚴經疏》).
- Sìfēn lǜ cáng dàquán 《四分律藏大全》 — Vinaya compendium.
Sources. 《海幢阿字無禪師語錄》 vol. 2 〈海幢阿字無禪師行狀〉; 《正源略集目錄》 vol. 1.