Fāyuán 發元, zì Bànshuǐ 半水 (“Half-Water”); often referred to as Sānfēng Bànshuǐ 三峰半水 from his abbacy. LínjìYángqí dharma-heir of Dàhǒu Yìnchuán 大吼印傳 — thus a fǎsūn of Pòshān Hǎimíng 海明 (1597–1666) and dharma-nephew of Shèngkě Déyù 德玉 (1628–1701). Birth year unknown; died 康熙三十年辛未前七月初二日未時 = 1691-07-26. Native of Bāxiàn 巴縣 (Sìchuān, Chóngqìng region); lay surname Yú 余.
Formation. Took precepts (shīluó 尸羅) under Shígǔ 石谷和尚 (a fǎzhí of Déyù — described in Déyù’s preface as “吾姪”); received final yìnjì under Dàhǒu Yìnchuán (described as “吾兄”).
Abbacies. Sānfēngsì 三峰 (in Bāxiàn region, Sìchuān) and Xìngyún chányuàn 興雲禪院 — recorded in the yǔlù opening at 康熙丙午冬 = 1666 winter receiving the lay-patron invitation from 雲海羅公 + 相廷朱公 to open 爐 at the same monastery.
Disciples. Eleven fǎsì listed in the yìnjì of his yǔlù: Shéduān Guāngcháng 舌端光長, Yuèlǎng Guāngjìng 月朗光靜, Tiānmù Guāngchǎng 天目光昶, Shuāngfēng Guāngái 霜峰光皚, Wànzhú Guāngyíng 萬竹光盈, Zhìguān Guāngdà 至觀光大 (Jīnlíngrén), Xīngrán Guāngshēn 惺然光深 光深 (recorder of his yǔlù), Bōshēng Guāngróng 波生光榮 (Wànxiànrén), Cāngwú Guānghuá 蒼梧光華, Yīwěi Guāngzhēn 一葦光真, Yúnkōng Guāngliù 雲空光六.
Work. KR6q0539 《三峰半水元禪師語錄》 1 juan, J38 B420, compiled by fǎsì Xīngrán Guāngshēn 光深 děng biān; preface (康熙辛未 = 1691 spring) by his uncle 德玉 (signed “華岩玉老僧”); engraved by his cousin 道樂 (法弟不厭代刻).
Sources. 《錦江禪燈》 vol. 13; 《三峰半水元禪師語錄》 vol. 1 〈印偈〉; 《五燈全書》 vol. 88.