Zhìxiáng 智祥, zì Tīngyún 聽雲, hào Pínjí 頻吉 (also Píngǔfó 頻古佛); often referred to as Pínjí Zhìxiáng 頻吉智祥. Cáodòng-school dharma-heir of Yuánjié Jìngyíng 淨瑩 (1612–1672). Born 明崇禎丙子腊月初十 = 1637-01-05 Gregorian; died 1709, age c. 73. Native of Huángzhōu Máchéng 黃州麻城 (Húběi); lay surname Lǐ 李.
Formation. As a child whenever he saw a monk would become joyful. At 7 traveled with his father to Gāoshān Pútísì 高山菩提寺 (in Xiāngxiāng), met Jíān 吉庵律師 — refused to leave. Jíān ordered his disciple Yīshuǐ 一水 to tonsure the boy. 順治乙未 = 1655 at age 19 went to Shīfēng 獅峰 under Fúmù 浮木 to take full ordination, then studied scriptures and treatises. Later went to Jīnlíng 金陵 to cān under Làngzhàngrén 浪杖人 = 覺浪道盛. Then to Húzhōu Biànshān 弁山 to cān under Yúnyán Yuánjié Jìngyíng. At 27 had an opening on hearing the xiāngbǎn (incense board) sound. Served Jìngyíng’s jīnpíng (towel-and-jar) over a year. Subsequently cān-fǎng under Yúān Yú 愚庵盂, Yùlín Xiù 玉林琇, Fúyán Róng 福嚴容, Qīnglóng Sī 青龍斯. 康熙壬寅 = 1662 assisted Jìngyíng with the establishment of Yúnyán 雲岩.
Abbacies. Húzhōu Lónghuá chánsì 弁山龍華禪寺; Héngyáng Zǐyúnfēng Fóguósì 衡陽紫雲峰佛國寺; Yúnyán Wúzhù chánsì 雲巖無住禪寺.
Death. After his death, his body did not decay; hair and beard continued to grow.
Disciples (53 fǎsì). Major figures include Huìlóng Jíān Xūn 會龍藉菴熏 and Guǎngzhōu Yùrì Néng 廣州浴日能, plus Dénéng 德能 德能 (lead compiler of his yǔlù).
Works.
- Chánlín bǎoxùn bǐ shuō 禪林寶訓筆說 KR6q0157 (X64 n1266) — three-juan running-commentary on the KR6q0099 Chánlín bǎoxùn.
- Lead compiler (biān) of his teacher’s yǔlù KR6q0567 《元潔瑩禪師語錄》 10 juan, J39 B453.
- Own yǔlù KR6q0568 《頻吉祥禪師語錄》 15 juan, J39 B454 (+ 卍續藏).
- 《法華經授手》 (Lotus Sūtra commentary).
Sources. 《佛人辭典》 754; 《佛國寺簡介》; 《正源略集》 vol. 13.