Linji (Lin-chi)

Linji (also known as Lin-chi) was a Chinese Zen master from the 9th century, influential in shaping Zen Buddhism. He emphasized direct, practical insight into one’s true nature through spontaneous, often abrupt methods like shouting or striking, to provoke realization beyond conceptual thinking. His teachings focus on immediate experience over intellectual understanding, encouraging practitioners to break free from illusions and attain enlightenment here and now. Linji's approach promotes a direct, no-nonsense path to awakening, fostering a mindset of freshness, openness, and engagement with reality as it is.