Mind-Benders of Buddhist History
A life that spanned two centuries
The Chan master Xuyun is commonly dated 1840-1959, which would make him about 119 years old at his death (traditionally reckoned as 120 in the Chinese counting system). His life is said to have spanned the late Qing empire, the short-lived Republic of China, and the early People's Republic; his birth year of 1840 is debated among scholars, though his 1959 death is well documented.
How we know
Xuyun (Hsu Yun): commonly dated 1840-1959; death (13 Oct 1959) securely documented, 1840 birth traditional but disputed; 1959-1840 = 119 yrs Western count, 120 by traditional Chinese (sui) reckoning.
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