As a character, huineng is absolutely static, neither laboring mightily for insight nor effusing with the newfound bliss of divinity. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch is one of the most popular. Yampolsky has based his translation on the tunhuang manuscript, the earliest extant. Another complete version, translated by the buddhist text translation society with commentary by tripitaka master hua is also available. In the absence of defilement, wisdom is always present, since it is not separate from the selfnature. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch, translated by. The full title of the platform sutra proclaims it as the sudden teaching. Platform sutra of the dharma treasure of the great master. The creator of the golden age of zen, which exists pretty much intact to this day, huinengs platform sutra is as good as it gets. It is more important to read the diamond sutra than the platform sutra. Huineng 6387 was the sixth patriarch of zen in china, but is often regarded as the true father of the zen tradition. The platform sutra introduction the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch is one of the most popular and influential texts of the chinese chan zen in japanese buddhist tradition.
The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch purports to be a record of the teachings of huineng, as transcribed by an obscure disciple, fahai. Yampolsky has based his translation on the tunhuang. Purported to be the recorded words of the famed huineng, who was understood to be the sixth patriarch of chan and the father of all later. The primacy of the buddhanature, the identity of meditation and wisdom, the formless approach to repentance and the precepts, the samadhi of the single practiceall these are religious principles that are valid beyond the limits of this one brilliant scripture. The lankavatara sutra minnesota zen meditation center. Yampolsky, the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch new york. As a character, huineng is absolutely static, neither laboring mightily for insight nor effusing with the newfound bliss of. The sutra spoken by the sixth patriarch on the high seat of the treasure of the law, otherwise known as the platform sutra of huineng. Tanjing is a chan buddhist scripture that was composed in china during the 8th to th century. Purported to be the recorded words of the famed huineng, who was understood to be the sixth patriarch of chan and the father of all later chanzen. For many buddhist teachers and scholars, it is considered the hallmark and culminating text of early chan ca. The term sutra is reserved for a sermon of gautama buddha or one of the great bodhisattvas, and the canon of the chan school, the tripitaka, contains only one chinese work bearing that title. In 1967 philip yampolsky published a translation based on the mogao cave text. Philip yampolsky 1967 many of us are familiar with the first part of the platform sutra recounting the story of huinengs life and how he obtained the robe and bowl after arriving at the monastery as a commoner.
Its key themes are the direct perception of ones true nature, and the unity in essence of sila. For many buddhist teachers and scholars, it is considered the hallmark and culminating text. The mind dharma of the sixth patriarch chan meditation center. It is often linked with the heart sutra and the diamond sutra to form a trio of texts that have been revered and studied for centuries.
The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch philip yampolsky. Pdf the platform sutra download full pdf book download. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch by philip b. Other translations of platform sutra are available on. Kathie fischer gives the first talk of the platform sutra 2020 series based on the teachings of the sixth ancestor hu. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch, translated by philip b. Yampolsky download here the platform sutra records the teachings of huineng, the sixth patriarch, who is revered as one of the two great figures in the founding of chan zen buddhism. Loori, 2009 in several places in the platform sutra, disciples ask the master to resolve their doubts or transmit knowledge to them. Because worldly people have 84,000 kinds of defilement. The platform sutra the mahaprajnaparamita sutra of the direct teaching of the southern school of the supreme mahayana, the platform sutra delivered at tafan temple in shaochou by the sixth patriarch, master huineng, in one volume, compiled and recorded by fahai, recipient of the formless precepts and advocate of the dharma.
Yampolsky is a lecturer in japanese at columbia university. Its purpose is to lead advanced bodhisattvas to final selfrealization, that is, to be a tathagata see below. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch is a chan buddhist scripture that was composed in. It is our choice to invoke vow and practice that vow. This translation is the definitive english version of the eighthcentury chan classic. The platform sutra minnesota zen meditation center. Purported to be the recorded words of the famed huineng, who was understood to be the sixth patriarch of chan and the father of all.
Philip yampolsky 1967 not all pieces we read about practice can be as simple as straightforward mind is the place of practice, yet we find ourselves wondering if the translation fully expresses huinengs intent. With translation, introduction, and notes by philip b. Transmission and enlightenment in chan buddhism seen through. Given the fragmentary and disputed nature of texts from this period, it cannot be regarded as. The platform sutra download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Mar, 20 it is our choice to invoke vow and practice that vow. Mastery of the teachings and mastery of mind are like the sun in the empty sky. I am indebted to the platform sutra workshop led by peter gregory in guangzhou, dec. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch translations from. The sutra of huineng, also known as the platform sutra, contains the autobiography of a pivotal figure in zen history and some of the most profound passages of zen literature. Liutsu tanching, important text from the chan school of chinese buddhism, most likely composed in the 8th century ce.
Zenbuddhism theplatformsutrarevisited inresponsetotheschismbetweensouthernandnorthernschoolsofchanin8th centurychina,tsung. The platform sutra records the teachings of huineng, the sixth patriarch, who is revered as one of the two great figures in the founding of chan zen buddhism. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch book summary. The sixth patriarchs platform sutra is the only sutra by a master of chinese background, the chan schools sixth patriarch, hui neng. He saw the state of spirituality of his time, men in caves meditating and shutting off the entire world, immune to pain, anger, hunger, and saw the contradiction of this if these men were buddhas, they were what he called stone buddhas, like a statue. Good knowing advisors, my dharmadoor produces 84,000 wisdoms from the one prajna. It relates the life and teachings of master hui neng, the great master the sixth patriarch, as set down by one of his disciples. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch columbia. Click download or read online button to get the platform sutra book now. Selections from the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch, philip yamplosky, trans.
Shambala publications, reprinted by permission of publisher. The work is reputed to be a record of the teachings of the great chan master huineng. The sixth patriarchs dharma jewel platform sutra is the fundamental text of chan buddhism. Again there were those who said, this is truly a flesh body bodhisattva, but meant it only as sarcasm and lighthearted ridicule, for they still didnt know if the verse was correct. The sixth patriarchs dharma jewel platform sutra comments so that people would look closely and clearly recognize that he actually was a flesh body bodhisattva. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch the platform sutra records the teachings of huineng, the sixth patriarch, who is revered as one of the two great fig. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. It is attributed to the sixth patriarch of the chan tradition, huineng 6387, although it is most likely the work of subsequent disciples who sought to legitimate their school by devising a lineage of dharma masters leading back to. Yampolsky, 1967 the platform sutra teaches that practice while walking or sitting, speaking or silent, moving or still, the practitioner is at peace.
The lankavatara sutra introduction the lankavatara sutra sutra on the descent to lanka is an unsystematic and partial overview of the one path teaching of mahayana buddhism. Selection from the sutra of huineng, price and wong, trans. The platform sutra occupies a central place in zen chan buddhist instruction for students and spiritual seekers worldwide. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch analysis. The platform sutra was the first sutra kobun studied with the group. Yampolsky, the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch new. The platform refers to the podium on which a buddhist teacher speaks. During the seventh and eighth centuries under the tang dynasty, master hui neng. This chapter will try to unpack what that means by focusing on a close reading of the first two segments of the text. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch terebess. However, unlike the other sutras, which transcribe the teachings of the buddha himself, the platform sutra. Transmission and enlightenment in chan buddhism seen through the platform sutra pdf. This pdf file may be printed and distributed according to the terms of use estab.