Nanyue Huairang was born in Jinzhou, China in 677, practiced Buddhism, and was a Ch'an Master, or a monk who practiced meditation (versus one who specializes in scripture, discipline, or moral precepts.)
Buddhism Ch'an master Until the Tang Dynasty, the term "Chanshi" (; Dhyana Master) was regularly used for a monk who was a master of chan, or meditation, versus those who specialized in Dharma (scriptural teachings) and Vinaya (discipline and moral precepts). 677
Jinzhou, China 
