Surname Overview
Meaning of the Shi Surname
The surname Shi denotes disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. It was not introduced from India but was established in China by Master Dao'an during the Eastern Jin dynasty.
Shi Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 68Shi / Shi
Origins
Stages of Formation
Surname usage in Chinese Buddhism developed through three stages: secular surnames, surnames inherited from teachers, and the surname Shi.
Historical Records
Dao'an's First Use
Dao'an introduced himself as “Mitian Shi Dao'an” and became the first person in Chinese Buddhism to use Shi as a surname.
Migration and Distribution
Spread of the Surname
After Dao'an adopted Shi, his disciples followed. As his influence expanded through his teaching in Chang'an, the surname became widespread among monks in China and was accepted by Buddhist communities in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other regions within the Chinese Buddhist tradition.
Genealogy and Generation Names
Buddhist Lineages
The spread of Shi contributed to the formation of Buddhist genealogies. The Linji, Caodong, Guiyang, Yunmen, and Fayan schools each established lineage verses, with monks of the same generation sharing the first character of their Dharma names.
Research Notes
Who May Use the Surname
Lay Buddhists may receive Dharma names after taking refuge but may not adopt Shi from their teachers; the surname denotes disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha.
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Surname attestation references
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