Sengcan

Sengcan (僧璨; died 606) was the Third Patriarch of Chinese Chán Buddhism after Bodhidharma and Huike. Very little biographical information is definitively known about him. He is best known as the attributed author of the Xinxin Ming (信心銘), often translated as "Verses on Faith-Mind," a foundational text in the Chán tradition emphasizing the non-duality of mind and reality.

According to traditional accounts, Sengcan received Dharma transmission from Huike. The Record of the Teachers and Students of the Lanka states that Sengcan was a lay disciple of Huike for two years before receiving ordination and Dharma transmission. He is said to have secluded himself on Mount Wangong for several years before meeting Daoxin, who became his student and later the Fourth Patriarch. After transmitting the Dharma to Daoxin, Sengcan is said to have traveled south and died while giving a lecture in 606.

While the authenticity of the Xinxin Ming is sometimes questioned, its influence on Chán Buddhism is undeniable. The text explores themes of emptiness, non-discrimination, and the inherent Buddha-nature within all beings. It encourages practitioners to let go of dualistic thinking and realize the unity of mind and phenomena.

The precise dates of Sengcan's life and the details of his activities remain uncertain due to the limited historical documentation. However, he holds a significant position in the Chán lineage as a key figure in the transmission of the Dharma and the author of a highly influential text.