Shitou Xiqian

Shitou Xiqian
Woodcut from 『佛祖正宗道影』(1880)
TitleChán master
Personal life
Born700
Died790 (aged 90)
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolChán
Senior posting
TeacherQingyuan Xingsi
Dajian Huineng
PredecessorQingyuan Xingsi
SuccessorYaoshan Weiyan
Students

Shítóu Xīqiān (700–790) (traditional Chinese: 石頭希遷; simplified Chinese: 石头希迁; pinyin: Shítóu Xīqiān; Wade–Giles: Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien; Japanese: Sekitō Kisen) was an 8th-century Chinese Chán (Zen) Buddhist teacher and author. All existing branches of Zen throughout the world are said to descend either from Shitou Xiqian or from his contemporary Mazu Daoyi.