Master Niutou Farong - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Master Niutou Farong (594-657 CE), also known as Niu-t'ou Fa-jung or the "Oxhead Master," was a pivotal figure in early Chinese Chan Buddhism who pioneered a distinct philosophical approach bridging Indian Madhyamaka thought with indigenous Chinese traditions. His epithet "Oxhead" derives from his residence on Mount Niutou (Oxhead Mountain) near modern-day Nanjing, where he established what would later be recognized as the Niutou School of Chan Buddhism.
First mentioned in the "Transmission of the Lamp" (Jingde Chuandeng Lu), Farong's historical significance emerged during the tumultuous transition from the Sui to Tang dynasties, a period of intense religious and philosophical ferment in Chinese history. According to traditional accounts, he was discovered living in seclusion by the Fourth Patriarch Daoxin, who, impressed by Farong's wisdom, transmitted to him the essence of Chan teaching. This legendary meeting became a touchstone for later discussions about sudden enlightenment versus gradual cultivation.
Farong's distinctive teaching style integrated Madhyamaka emptiness doctrine with native Chinese concepts, particularly those from Daoist philosophy and the Prajñāpāramitā sutras. His approach, documented in the "Mind Mirror Inscription" (Xinjing Ming), emphasized the fundamental unity of all phenomena and the immediacy of enlightenment. The Niutou School he founded flourished for several generations before being absorbed into mainstream Chan traditions, though its influence persisted in debates about the nature of Buddha-nature and the role of meditation in spiritual practice.
The legacy of Master Niutou Farong continues to intrigue scholars and practitioners alike, particularly in his sophisticated reconciliation of seemingly opposing philosophical traditions. His emphasis on direct experience over theoretical understanding resonates with contemporary approaches to mindfulness and meditation. Modern scholarship has begun to reassess his contributions, suggesting that the Niutou School's influence on East Asian Buddhism may have been more substantial than previously recognized. The question of how Farong's integrative approach might inform current dialogues between Eastern and Western philosophical traditions remains a fertile ground for exploration.