Shaolin, is it a Ts'ao-tung Ch'an Sect?

[J-schum]

I see my mistake. I was using "The Zen experience" By thomas hoover as my reference. It was written pre 1979. Caodong is pinyin and Ts'ao Tung is wade-giles (soto in Japanese). So I think our understanding of the sect is the same.

This puts Shaolin in the "gradual enlightenment" camp. I believe Lin-chi is of the "sudden enlightment" belief.

Amituofo

[doc]

I would suspect that it is the Caodong sect of Chan Buddhism that inhabited Shaolin, according to my records, but I could be wrong.

Let me refer you to the following link: http://www.russbo.com/Monk-FAQ/monk-lineage.html

and also: http://www.russbo.com/Chinese-History/southern-shaolin-temple.html

[J-schum]

Not sure I understand the difference between Ts'ao-tung and Lin-chi in order to correctly categorize shaolin ch'an. Any takers?