Fudaishi

Fudaishi (Japanese; Chinese 傅大士 Fù Dà Shì, also known as Shanhui, Fuxi, Shuanglin dashi, and Dongyang dashi) (497 – 569) was a Chinese Buddhist monk who was later deified as the Japanese patron deity of libraries.[1] He is traditionally accredited with the invention of the rinzō (輪蔵), a system of revolving shelving used in Kyōzō libraries.[2] He is often represented alongside his sons, Fuwaku and Fukon.[3]

A statuette of a fat, smiling man
Statue of Fudaishi at the Musee Guimet

Fudaishi hailed from Dongyang during the Northern and Southern Qi dynasties.[4] Da shi (大士), lit. 'great scholar', was used in China as a rendering of the Sanskrit mahāsattva.[4] He is sometimes referred to in translations as 'Mahāsattva Fu'. In addition to the invention of the library system, Fudaishi was credited with overseeing the construction of the Shunaglin Temple and compiling an early version of the Chinese Buddhist Canon.[4] He is credited as the author of the Jingang borejing laisong (金剛般若經來頌, Taisho no. 2732), a commentary on the Diamond Sutra.[4]

Fudaishi is noted for his "lecture" on the Diamond Sutra, recorded in the Hekiganroku (Record of the Blue Cliffs). According to this account, Fudaishi was invited to speak by the Emperor Bu-tei. He stepped up to the lectern, struck it a blow with his staff, and then returned to his seat without speaking a word.[5][6]

He is regarded as in incarnation of Miroku, the Waiting Buddha.[1]

References
  1. Louis Fr?d?ric; Louis-Frédéric (2002). Japan Encyclopedia. Harvard University Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5.
  2. Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (27 September 2012). Manual Of Zen Buddhism. Netlancers Inc. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-62394-103-1.
  3. Iso Mutsu (13 December 2013). Kamakura: Fact and Legend: Fact and Legend. Tuttle Publishing. p. 277. ISBN 978-1-4629-0871-4.
  4. Digital Dictionary of Buddhism
  5. Zenkei Shibayama (13 December 2013). A Flower Does Not Talk: Zen Essays. Tuttle Publishing. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-4629-0971-1.
  6. Zhiyu; Hakuin (1977). Every End Exposed: The 100 Koans of Master Kidō : with the Answers of Hakuin-Zen. Autumn Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-394-42069-1.


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