Connecting to Our Chan Lineage: DM Yanzhen

From March 29 - April 5, 2025, we had the honor of hosting DM Yanzhen. As a college student at Beijing University, he was deeply influenced by the teachings of Venerable Master Xuyun, Elder Master Guangqin, and Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, as well as the bowing journals of Reverend Heng Sure and Dharma Master Heng Chau (Dr. Martin Verhoeven). His final decision for becoming a monk came from reading a line of teaching from Master Hua's Dharma talks. His own teacher, Venerable Master Yicheng, was a disciple of Venerable Master Xuyun and inherited the Weiyang Chan lineage.

DM Yanzhen took novice ordination in 1993 and full Bhikshu ordination in 1994 at True Suchness Monastery. In 2000, he was asked to establish a Buddhist academy. Today, with over 30 years in robes, he serves as Vice President of Jiangxi Buddhist College and Abbot of Baofeng Chan Monastery.

During his visit to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, DM Yanzhen expressed his deep respect and gratitude to Master Hua for his teachings and inspiration. When he visited the Wordless Hall to pay respects to the Buddha Shakyamuni, VM Xuyun, and VM Hsuanhua’s sharira, he was moved to tears. Later, he went to visit classes at Dharma Realm Buddhist University where he saw lively conversations around the meaning of the Sutra texts.

DM Yanzhen is a scholar-practitioner monk with extensive knowledge of the Chan tradition. He teaches the Bai Zhang Qing Gui (Pure Regulations of Bai Zhang) and has helped revive the traditional Chan Session practices in over 10 monasteries in China. In addition to his understanding of the Chan tradition, he is also well-versed in the Theravada teachings such as the Visuddhimagga and the Abhidhamma. He found that these Theravada texts serve as a solid foundation for Dharma practice grounded in the Noble Eightfold Path.

During his visit to Abhayagiri, he shared, "As disciples of the Buddha, regardless of our country, language, or tradition, we are all connected through the shared foundation of the Noble Eightfold Path." He compared this to the redwood trees, whose roots form a vast underground network: when one tree is weak, others can send nourishment through their roots. He returned to this metaphor again and again, seeing in the spirit of the redwoods a reflection of the Dharma community worldwide.

DM Yanzhen also visited Redwood Vihara where he taught us the simple act of washing hands. He asked, “Has anyone washed their father’s hands or helped him bathe before?” 

“No,” was our response. We explained how in America, there was an emphasis on self-reliance and individualism, so usually children do not care for their parents so directly unless they are old and sick.

DM Yanzhen then led one of the men in the monastery in washing the hands of the monks. This practice exemplifies the monastic tradition of mutual service, where junior monks tend to seniors' needs while receiving guidance in return. Through these relationships, teachings naturally flow throughout the Sangha community. Such reciprocal care prepares monastics for all life stages—seniors learn graceful acceptance while juniors develop attentive service. The monastic path involves joining a "noble family" rooted in compassion, learning deep mutual care beyond individual practice. When he left, DM Yanzhen emphasized the importance of this practice: filiality embodied.

DM Yanzhen was a good and wise friend who brought many teachings and insights from China. Also it was a chance for him to see how Master Hua’s Dharma efforts have put down roots in America. Like the redwoods, may our roots continue to intertwine, nourishing each other for the well-being of everyone everywhere.