View source for Huiyuan

*''Born: [[334]]''
*''Died: [[417]]''

Huiyuan was an early Chinese [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monk, and one of the more prominent religious figures of his time. 

He is famous for a meeting with [[Huan Xuan|Emperor Wudao of Chu]] in [[402]], in which he suggested that Buddhist clergy, due to their particular position and spiritually-directed life, should not be expected to perform the same displays of obeisance towards lay leaders (including the Emperor) as was expected of laymen. The Emperor agreed and allowed for this, setting an impressive precedent. Huiyuan would later write a short treatise, entitled ''Shāmén bùjìng wángzhě'' (沙門不敬王者論, "A Monk Does Not Bow Down Before a King"), explaining his argument more fully.

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==References==
*"The Introduction of Buddhism," ''Sources of Chinese Tradition'', 426-427. 

[[Category:Religious Figures]]
[[Category:Kofun Period]]