DAHUI Meaning and
Definition
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"Dahui" is a Chinese term that refers to a type of Buddhist school or sect known as the Linji sect in Japan. More specifically, it is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese term "Dahui Zonggao" or "Daie Soko" in Japanese. It is also sometimes transliterated as "Ta-hui" or "Da-Hui."
"Dahui" originated from the teachings of Dahui Zonggao, a renowned Chinese Zen master who lived during the Song dynasty (960-1279). His teachings emphasized a direct pointing to the nature of mind, advocating an intuitive and immediate approach to enlightenment.
The Dahui school is characterized by its use of "huatou" (Japanese: "wato") practice. This practice involves intense and active contemplation of a specific question or phrase, such as "Who am I?" or "What is this?" The purpose of this method is to provoke a state of profound questioning and to transcend conceptual thinking in order to reach direct insight into the true nature of reality.
The Dahui school places emphasis on rigorous meditation practice and often employs the use of dramatic methods, such as shouts, blows, or other unconventional means, to help students awaken from their delusions and achieve enlightenment.
Overall, Dahui refers to a specific branch of the Zen Buddhist tradition that highlights direct pointing to the mind's nature, intensive meditation, and the practice of huatou as a means to attain enlightenment.
Etymology of DAHUI
The word "dahui" is of Chinese origin. It is derived from the Chinese characters "大" (dà), meaning "big" or "great", and "会" (huì), meaning "gathering" or "meeting". When combined, "大会" (dàhuì) translates to "big gathering" or "grand assembly". In the context of traditional Chinese Chan Buddhism (also known as Zen Buddhism), "dahui" refers to a specific style of meditation retreat or intensive group practice characterized by rigorous question and answer sessions between a teacher and students.
