Caodong

Part of a series on Zen Buddhism

The Five Houses

Caodong / Sōtō Linji / Rinzai Fayan / Hōgen Guiyang / Igyō Yunmen / Unmon

Doctrine and practice

Buddha-nature Dharma transmission Emptiness Enlightenment Group meditation Kōan practice Samādhi Sitting meditation

Principal texts

Diamond Sūtra Heart Sūtra Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra Platform Sūtra Śūraṅgama Sūtra (Kōan collections)

Mahāyāna Buddhism Outline of Buddhism (Category)

Cáodòng (Chinese: 曹洞宗; pinyin: Cáo dòng zōng; Wade–Giles: Ts'ao-tung-tsung) is a Chinese Zen Buddhist sect founded by Dongshan Liangjie and his Dharma-heirs in the 9th century. Some attribute the name "Cáodòng" as a union of "Dongshan" and "Caoshan" from one of his Dharma-heirs, Caoshan Benji; however, the "Cao" much more likely came from Cáoxī (曹溪), the "mountain-name" of Huineng, the Sixth Ancestor of Chan, as Caoshan was of little importance unlike his contemporary and fellow Dharma-heir, Yunju Daoying. The sect emphasised sitting meditation, and later "silent illumination" techniques.

In 1227 Dōgen Zenji, a former Tendai student, studied Caodong Buddhism, and returned to Japan to establish the Sōtō sect.

Caodong masters:

• Dongshan Liangjie (9th century)
• Caoshan Benji (9th century)
• Hongzhi Zhengjue (12th century)
• Tiāntóng Rújìng (13th century)

See also

• Sōtō
• Koan
• Dharma Drum Retreat Center Chán Buddhism retreat center founded by Caodong heir Sheng-yen