Huineng, also known as the Sixth Patriarch of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, was born in 638 CE in Xinzhou, Guangdong province, China. His father, Wu Neng, was a government official and died when Huineng was young. His mother, Li Mengying, raised him and instilled in him a strong sense of morality and compassion.

As a young man, Huineng worked as a woodcutter and later as a peddler, selling firewood and other goods. Despite his lack of formal education, he was known for his intelligence and quick wit. One day, while selling firewood in the marketplace, he overheard a customer reciting a verse from the Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist text. Huineng was immediately drawn to the teachings and asked the customer where he could learn more.

The customer directed Huineng to the Fifth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, Hongren, who was residing at the Dongshan Monastery. Huineng made the journey and was accepted as a student by Hongren, who recognized his potential for enlightenment.

Under Hongren's guidance, Huineng underwent rigorous training and meditation practices. He also studied Buddhist scriptures and texts, including the Diamond Sutra. It is said that Huineng achieved enlightenment after hearing Hongren recite a verse from the Diamond Sutra and realizing its true meaning.

After Hongren's death, a power struggle ensued among his disciples to determine who would succeed him as the Sixth Patriarch. Hongren had secretly chosen Huineng as his successor and wrote a poem on the monastery wall, inviting his disciples to write their own verses in response. Huineng, who was illiterate, asked a fellow monk to write his response for him. His verse was chosen as the most profound, and he was declared the Sixth Patriarch.

Huineng then left the monastery and traveled throughout China, teaching and spreading the teachings of Chan Buddhism. He emphasized the importance of direct realization and experience of enlightenment, rather than relying on scriptures and rituals. His teachings were often met with resistance from the established Buddhist schools, but he continued to spread his message of universal enlightenment and liberation.

Huineng's legacy lives on in the Chan (Zen) tradition, which emphasizes the importance of meditation and direct experience of reality. His teachings continue to inspire and guide many in their spiritual journeys, and he is revered as one of the most influential figures in Chinese Buddhism.