Biography
Chang2xing3's father died when he was young and he was educated by his mother's family. He tonsured (but did not actually have his hair shaved off) at the age of 12 at Fu2cheng2 Temple 福成寺 in his hometown. The abbot of this temple under whom he tonsured, Zi4cheng2 自誠, sent Chang2xing3 to the Provincial Normal University, where he graduated in 1912.
After graduating, he went to Shang4hai3 and tested into Hua2yan2 University 華嚴大學, where he was classamtes with Chi2song1 持松. While there he dressed as a layman until Yue4xua2 月霞 convinced him to be more orthodox in his comportment. He returned to his hometown to have his hair cut, then he received full ordination at Long2chang1 Temple 隆昌寺 at Bao3hua2 shan1 寶華山.
Chang2xing3 graduated from Hua2yan2 University in the spring of 1916 and went to Tian1ning2 Temple 天寧寺 in Chang2zhou1 常州 to practice Chán. The following year he went to the Guan1zong1 Research Society 觀宗研究社 at Guan1zong1 Temple 觀宗寺 in Ning2bo1 寧波. There he studied Tain1tai2 天台 thought under Di4xian2 諦閑, and graduated in 1919. He began teaching at the Dharmadhatu Seminary 法界學院 at Xing4fu2 Temple 興福寺 in Chang2re4 常熱.
1922,
Major Works:
Chángxǐng fǎshī jí 常惺法師集 (Collected Works of Dharma Master Chángxǐng) [1]
Dàshéng qǐxìn lùn jiǎngyào 大乘起信論講要 (Essential Discussions on the Mahāyāna Awakening of Faith)
Fóxué gàilùn 佛學概論 (Outline of Buddhism)
Xiánshǒu gàilùn 賢首概論 (Outline of Huáyán)
Yīnmíng yùzhènglǐ lùn yàojiě 因明入正理論要解 (Essential Explanation of the Nyāyapraveśa)
Yuánjué jīng jiǎngyì 圓覺經講義 (Lectures on the Meaning of the Sūtra of Perfect Awakening)
References:
Yú Língbō 于凌波, ed. Xiàndài fójiào rénwù cídiǎn 現代佛教人物辭典 (A Dictionary of Modern Buddhist Persons), 2 vols. (Taipei: Foguang, 2004), 1:954b-957b.