Fazang [fa Tsang] 643–712 Ce

Fazang, also known by his title Xianshou, is the leading Chinese representative of a subdivision of Mahayana Buddhism called the Huayan [Hua-yen: ‘flower-garland’, ‘flowery splendour’ or ‘wreath’] school, which came to China in the sixth century CE. Mahayana Buddhism added a metaphysical dimension to the original teachings of the Buddha ¹ and the Huayan regarded as pre-eminent, and based its teachings on, the lengthy Avatamsaka Sutra. ² This set of aphorisms is concerned with the nature of reality, the relationship between the Absolute and its many dharmas or manifestations in the physical realm, and the Buddha nature or buddhahood of all sentient beings. Huayan has been highly influential ever since its introduction into China, and is regarded as one of the most philosophically sophisticated forms of Buddhism. It spread to Korea, and under the name of the Kegon school, it has also been of great importance in Japan.273