Master Lianchi’s Pure Land theory and Chan were predominant in Buddhism in Ming Dynasty. Pure Land theory is based on the three classic sutras in Pure Land religion, as well as Vasubandhu’s Commentary on the Treatise on the Pure Land. Based on the concept of Easy Way in Long Shu's Commentary on Ten Stages Sutra, the thoughts on Pure Land were developed from the ideas proposed by Huiyuan, Tanluan, Daochuo, and Shandao. The thoughts on Pure Land are not only associated with The Altar Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, which delineated “the mind is the Pure Land,” but also with The Longshu Pure Land Text, and Treatise on the Pure Land by monk Jiacai. The combination of Chan and Pure Land theory came from the monk Yongming Yanshou, who had Chan and Pure Land theory be adhipati-pratyaya for each other. Various factions at that time were then mediated, relying on Pure Land theory. Numerous sentient beings were guided and benifited. Pure Land religion was therefore made to become the most special and transformational door to practice Buddhism. Due to Master Lianchi’s promotion, Pure Land religion was consequently the most remarkable representative of Buddhism in China.
Master Lianchi’s thoughts on Chan are based on Avatamsaka Sutra. The first half of The Chan Whip Anthology embodies Chan through the exemplar of how the monk Zhaozhou practiced Chan; this was influential and benefited leaners of Chan. The other half of The Chan Whip Anthology raises examples about the pursuit of Prajna from classics like Mahayana, Avatamsaka Sutra, and Yoga-cārya-bhūmi, raising learners’ understanding of Chan.
Master Lianchi’s notion began from Bodhidharma’s teachings as well as Huineng’s epiphany. In the middile of Ming Dynasty, these ideas were elaborated and spiritually transmitted by the 28th patriarch of Linji faction, Xiaoyan, and the 31st master of Nanyue faction, Bianrong. The combination of Chan and Pure Land theory was proposed, and chanting of Buddha was thought to be compatible with the practice of Chan. After Mazu’s founding of Chan Monasteries, Master Lianchi led the largest sangha and taught knowledge widely to many sentient beings in Yunqi Mountain. Lianchi was the 8th master of Pure Land religion, and he was, after Bianrong, the greatest master of Chan.