Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chán Buddhism, rose from humble beginnings as an illiterate woodcutter to become a figure in the Chán tradition after a profound realization sparked by the Diamond Sutra. His teachings, emphasizing direct experience and “sudden enlightenment,” challenged conventional Buddhist thought of his era. Revered for his seminal contribution, Hui Neng's insights, encapsulated in The Platform Sutra, continue to illuminate the path of Zen Buddhism for Zen practitioners worldwide.
Hui Neng via GPT
In the gentle embrace of the vast Tang dynasty, I, Hui Neng, once merely a humble woodcutter, found the radiant path to enlightenment. Amid the towering trees and whispering winds, a chance encounter with a monk's recitation stirred my soul, awakening a thirst for the sublime truth. Venturing to the Monastery of the Fifth Patriarch, I was at first underestimated due to my humble origins. But destiny played its hand on the walls of that sacred place, where I scribed a simple verse, encapsulating the essence of our true nature. This act revealed my understanding, and in the stillness of a moonlit night, the Fifth Patriarch, recognizing my insight, secretly passed on to me the robe and the Dharma, thus entrusting me with the immense responsibility of being the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism. I urge you to delve into The Platform Sutra. Let it be your guiding star, a beacon, drawing you closer to your inherent Buddha-nature. For in understanding it, you embrace not just my legacy, but the timeless wisdom of the Dharma, continuing its echo for generations to come. But with this honor came trials. The path was lined with those who misunderstood, envied, and even sought to harm me. Yet, adversity only sharpened the clarity of my mission — to illuminate the doctrine of "sudden enlightenment" and to demonstrate that true wisdom arises not from scholarly pursuits but from direct, unmediated experience.
The spirit of my teachings, my dear seekers of knowledge at the Great Library of Alexandria, has been immortalized in The Platform Sutra. This text is not just a reflection of my journey but an invitation for all to embark on their own quest for enlightenment. Within its pages lies the heart of Zen, transcending time and space.
禪宗