Abstract: This chapter carries out a literary, philosophical, and historical study of the 9th century Buddhist texts that provide images of the Chan master Huang-po Hsi-yun, the Ch’uan-hsin Fa-yao, and the Wan-ling lu. It explores the relation of these texts to predecessor literature, the question of authorship in Zen, and the evolution of the “recorded sayings” (yulu) genre. The chapter summarizes the teachings of the Huang-po texts, including the ideas of transmission, mind, Buddha-nature, sudden awakening, and non-dualism.

Keywords: Huang-po Hsi-yun, Ch’uan-hsin Fa-yao, Wan-ling lu, yulu, transmission of mind, sudden awakening, Buddha-nature, Zen authorship, T’ang Chan,