Muan Xingtao was a prominent Chan master of the seventeenth century. This study attempts to examine his religious and cultural legacy and his numerous accomplishments. Among his many achievements were his successful consolidation of the Obaku headquarters of Manpukuji in Japan and cultivation of many Japanese dharma heirs which greatly expanded the Obaku’s territories. He was praised for his artistic abilities in painting and calligraphy which led to the Japanese designating him as one of the “Obaku sanpitsu 黄檗三筆”. He earned the highest religious honors of the purple robe and obtained the patronage from the shogun and Japanese elite. He characteristically manifested the virtues of filial piety and loyalty and transmitted the Ming style of Buddhist teachings, which placed more emphasis on the lay believers, nenbutsu and monastic discipline to Japan. His life represented the religious influence achieved through the interconnection between nations.

This study attempts to present a comprehensive study of Jifei Ruyi (J. Sokuhi Nyoitsu, 1616-1671)'s life. Jifei was originally a monk of Wanfusi (J. Manpukuji) at Mount Huangbo, China, and one of Yinyuan Longqi (J. Ingen Ryuki, 1592-1673)'s leading dharma heirs. He contributed as a founding leader of the Wanfusi expatriates to the establishment and consolidation of Manpukuji in the seventeenth century Japan. Chief among his achievements is his introduction of the Chan style and literati cultural activity of the late Ming China (1368-1644). Jifei's syncretic religious practice combined Linji Chan (J. Rinzai Zen) style and elements from other Buddhist denominations, with his Chan modeled mainly on the teachings of Linji Yixuan (d.867). Jifei's filial piety, Confucian kinship and Buddhist sectarian consciousness, and cultural practice of literati ideal reflect his unitary vision of Confucianism and Buddhism, a popular socio-religious trend during the time.