Mazu Daoyi (709–788) (Chinese: 馬祖道一; pinyin: Mǎzŭ Dàoyī; Wade–Giles: Ma-tsu Tao-yi, Japanese: Baso Dōitsu) was an influential abbot of Chan Buddhism during the Tang dynasty. The earliest recorded use of the term "Chan school" is from his Extensive Records. Master Ma's teaching style of "strange words and extraordinary actions" became paradigmatic Zen lore.
His family name was Ma - Mazu meaning Ancestor Ma or Master Ma. He was born in 709 northwest of Chengdu in Sichuan. During his years as master, Mazu lived in Jiangxi, from which tool the name "Jiangxi Daoyi".
In the Transmission of the Lamp, compiled in 1004, Mazu is described as follows:
According to the Transmission of the Lamp, Mazu was a student of Nanyue Huairang (677-744) at Mount Heng in Hunan
A story in the entry on Nanyue Huairang in the Transmission of the Lamp is regarded as Mazu's enlightenment-account, though the text does not claim it as such. An earlier and more primitive version of this story appears in the Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall which was transcribed in 952:
I promised you delight and heaven opens
come wage my holy war
where every thought is sin
i've been meaning to remove my baby skin tattoo
and i meant to be more kind
well maybe next time
if you come my way
if you come my way
if you come my way
we might feel the same
consequence of rage
if you come my way
i caught you on your knees
my words aren't wasted
you'd love to be realeased without tasting it
ands it's only if you bought what i have sold you
and if everything is fine well maybe next time
and if we go quiet if we can slip through
if i could only think only go unnoticed
if we hide the anger smolder inside
wait my time so quiet
changed my face again so you'll forget me
purified the skin is just a covering
i've been meaning to remove my baby skin tattoo
and i meant to be more kind
and maybe next time
i'll be a friend
and next time they'll be the enemy
and you might find
what you might find