Not much is known about the life of Sengtsan or Sengcan (Japanese: Kanchi Sosan, Buddhist: Seng-ts'an). His birth date and place of birth are unknown. He is said to have succeeded second Chinese Zen Patriarch, Dazu Huike sometime in the late sixth century. He is credited with famous poen Xsin Xsin Ming. It remains as one of the most profound and rare texts in Zen Buddhism. Emperor Hsuan-tsung (Genso) of the T'ang dynasty gave Sengtsan an honorary title Chien-chih after his death in 606 AD that means "Mirrorlike Wisdom".


