All existing branches of Zen throughout the world are said to descend either from Shitou Xiqian or from his contemporary Mazu Daoyi.

At a young age, he became a student of the great Zen patriarch Huineng for a short time prior to the latter's death.

Researcher James Robson argues that there is little evidence Shitou's body was mummified and that the remains enshrined at Mt.

[8] Scholar Mario Poceski writes that Shítóu does not appear to have been influential or famous during his lifetime: He was a little-known teacher who led a reclusive life and had relatively few disciples.

[9]Sayings to the effect that Shitou and Mazu were the two great masters of their day date from decades after their respective deaths.