一名宋朝禪師發現,良好的文學表達,對於禪宗立足於宋朝的文人文化,扮演著重要的角色。大慧宗皋(1089~1163)或許可說是宋朝最重要的禪師,之前曾數度參訪當時已成名的文人詩僧覺範慧洪(1071~1128),這樣的養成教育對於他日後成為禪師幫助很大。覺範在至少兩個文案上幫助過他。覺範慧洪(或稱德洪)隸屬臨濟宗黃龍派,此派是以江西北部的西門山寶峰寺為活動中心,大慧也曾在此依止數年。大慧的作品裡有一些針對覺範開悟的評論,覺範是在被真淨克文(1025~1102)逐出寺廟時開悟。這些評論有助於瞭解慧洪與禪宗的複雜關係,同時也有助於釐清大慧對於禪宗開悟與訓練的見解。
Given the place of Chan Buddhism within Song Dynasty literati culture, a Chan master during the Song Dynasty found excellence in literary expression a major asset. Dahui Zonggao (1089~1163) was arguably the Song Dynasty's most important Chan monk. A valuable part of his education as a future Chan master took place when he visited several times the already famous Chan poet and literatus Juefan Huihong (1071~1128); Juefan assisted him on at least two literary projects. Juefan Huihong (also known as Dehong) was a member of a circle of monks and laymen belonging to the Huanglong school of Chan centering on Baofeng Monastery at Mt. Shimen in the northern part of Jiangxi province to which Dahui also belonged for a number of years. Dahui's writings include a number of comments about Juefan Huihong's enlightenment, his expulsion from the Zhenjing Kewen's (1025~1102) monastery immediately following his awakening, and understanding of Chan. These are helpful in understanding Huihong's complex relation to the Chan school, as well as in illuminating Dahui's view of Chan enlightenment and training.