FA-TSANG

born 643, Ch'ang-an, China died 712, Ch'ang-an Pinyin Fazang, also called Hsien-shou Buddhist monk usually considered to be the founder of the Hua-yen school of Buddhism in China because he systematized its doctrines. Basically, the Hua-yen school taught that all phenomena are related. Hence every living being possesses the Buddha-nature within, and the universality of life is thus affirmed. According to legend, Fa-tsang aided the great Buddhist thinker and pilgrim Hsan-tsang in translating some of the sutras (Buddhist scriptures) that the master had brought back with him from India. But Fa-tsang disagreed with Hsan-tsang's contention that not all sentient beings possess the Buddha-nature and left him. He then turned to the Hua-yen ching (Garland of Flowers Classic)Avatamsaka-sutra in Sanskritand soon became master of that text. His reputation led to repeated invitations to lecture on that sutra within the imperial palace. As a result, Fa-tsang served as preceptor to four rulers and was especially favoured by the empress Wu Hou (reigned 690705). The Hua-yen school spread to Japan, where it is known as Kegon. Its philosophy exercised considerable effect there on the development of neo-Confucian thought.