Xianshou

Originally known as Fazang, Xianshou is the Third Patriarch of the Huayan Avatamsaka School. While his ancestors were from Sogdiana, his grandfather moved to Chang’an where he was born. He studied under Zhiyan when he was young and acquired a deep understanding of the Avatamsaka Sutra. After his master’s death, Xianshou was tonsured under Bochen and was later fully ordained by imperial decree. He undertook translations, gave lectures, and wrote various works. He taught the Avatamsaka Sutra over thirty times through-out his life. Once he explained the Huayan Ten Profound Gates to Empress Wu, who gained deep understanding through his skillful use of metaphors. Following the Tiantai School, he categorized the different concepts of Buddhism into Five Teachings and Ten Schools. He founded the Huayan School based on the philosophy of Dushun and Zhiyan. Although he was the teacher of five emperors and earned the respect of the nobility, he maintained a strict and simple life.