Though its recollection has been attributed to fahai, a student of huineng, its origins are not clear. The sixth patriarchs dharma jewel platform sutra is the fundamental text of chan buddhism. Liutsu tanching, important text from the chan school of chinese buddhism, most likely composed in the 8th century ce. It was originally composed in the 8th century and consists of a biography and the teachings of the sixth patriarch of zen buddhism, huineng. Oct 11, 2011 sixth patriarchs dharma jewel platform sutra 1 by rev. The platform sutra of hui neng intro and chapter 1 youtube. Suzuki did say that the platform sutra was altered beginning within a generation of huinengs death. The platform refers to the podium on which a buddhist teacher speaks. The two primary sources for huinengs life are the preface to the platform sutra and the transmission of the lamp. 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. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch analysis. On the high seat of the treasure of the law the sutra of the 6 th patriarch, hui neng translated by a. It also contains the diamond sutra and hui neng s commentary on it. Purported to contain the autobiography and sermons of huineng 6387, the legendary sixth patriarch of chan, the sutra has been popular among monastics and the educated elite for centuries.
The study is a comparison of four english translations wong 1930, heng 1977, cleary 1998 and cheng 2011 of an ancient chan buddhist text, the platform sutra, which is a record of the public sermons and personal conversations of the chan master. Tanjing is a chan buddhist scripture that was composed in china during the 8th to th century. The sutra of huineng, grand master of zen downloadable. 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. Platform sutra of the sixth patriarch the book summary. It is often linked with the, isbn 9781593760861 buy the the platform sutra. Rather than being an incitement to egocentric spontaneity which would result in utter chaos, and hence more delusion. Huineng huineng internet encyclopedia of philosophy. The master huineng ascended the high seat at the lecture hall of the tafan temple and expounded the dharma of the great perfection of wisdom, and. Tachien chihjen huineng, he writes, was a bodhisattva monk, and his preaching of the platform sutra is basically no different from the buddhas preaching of the sutras ibid. Given the fragmentary and disputed nature of texts from this period, it cannot be regarded as. 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, or to give it its full title as red pine does the mahaprajnaparamita sutra of the direct teaching of the southern school of the supreme mahayana, the platform sutra, is widely considered the most important of zen texts. 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 work is reputed to be a record of the teachings of the great chan master huineng. Thats why he obtained the ancestors robe and bowl chan proverb. The mahaparinirvana sutra which you expound explains that buddhanature is the only way. Chinese shoutong has been translated as mastery of the teachings, and xintong, as mastery of ones mind. Platform sutra huineng 6387 all the sutras and texts, all twelve divisions of the hinayana and mahayana canons, were arranged by people. However, unlike the other sutras, which transcribe the teachings of the buddha himself, the platform sutra presents the autobiography of huineng, the controversial 6th patriarch of zen, and his understanding of the fundamentals of a spiritual and practical life.
Pdf the study is a comparison of four english translations of a chinese chan buddhist text, the platform sutra. Huineng often spelt huineng or hui neng, 6387 is one of the major chinese sages. 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 hui neng, in one volume, compiled and recorded by fahai, recipient of the formless precepts and advocate of the dharma. 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. Tachien chihjen hui neng, he writes, was a bodhisattva monk, and his preaching of the platform sutra is basically no different from the buddhas preaching of the sutras ibid. Huineng, the sixth great patriarch of zen chan in chinese buddhism and founder of the southern school, which became the dominant school of zen, both in china and in japan. However, unlike the other sutras, which transcribe the teachings of the buddha himself, the platform sutra presents the life and work of hui neng, the controversial sixth patriarch of zen, and his understanding of the fundamentals of a spiritual and practical life. Suggestions by douglas gildow, for the huineng book.
Huinengs instruction still matters the 7thcentury school of sudden awakening that he founded survives today, continuing to influence the rinzai and soto schools of contemporary zen. The article is on the recreation of the image of chan master huineng in four english translations of the platform sutra through the choice of personal pronouns. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch is a chan buddhist scripture that was composed in. This translation is the definitive english version of the eighthcentury chan classic. Apr 26, 2011 this edition of the platform sutra is another translation and close reading by bill porter, b. Huinengs instruction still mattersthe 7thcentury school of sudden. The platform sutra occupies a central place in zen chan buddhist instruction for students and spiritual seekers worldwide. The sixth patriarch is the sixth successor after bodhidharma. Primary source document with questions dbqs excerpts from the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch introduction huineng 6387 was.
The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch bdk america. The sutra of huineng, grand master of zen, with huinengs commentary on the diamond sutra, translated by thomas cleary, boston. Hui neng s instruction still mattersthe seventhcentury school of direct. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch by huineng. Mar 02, 2015 huineng was the sixth chinese patriarch of zen buddhism. Shop the platform sutra the zen teaching of hui neng 2006. The sutra of hui neng, grand master of zen, with hui neng s commentary on the diamond sutra, translated by thomas cleary, boston. It relates the life and teachings of master hui neng, the great. The platform sutra of huineng dharma study posted on 01092019 01092019 by will todays dharma study will be on repentance from the sutra of huineng. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch teisho one drop zen. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch terebess. Guy gavriel kay reveals a current shop the platform sutra the zen teaching of hui neng 2006 of product sign. All of the chanzen buddhism in the world comes to us from him. Hui neng s instruction still matters the 7thcentury school of sudden awakening.
During the seventh and eighth centuries under the tang dynasty, master hui neng. If you wish to hear the teachings of the sages of the past, each of you must quiet the mind and hear me to. Download the latest version of the video and the portable document format pdf. Purported to be the teaching of the sixth patriarch of the southern school of chan, it has achieved the highest status possible for a buddhist text by being awarded the title of ching sutra, which places it. Blyth, an early student and translator of japanese buddhist and literary texts, has some. Aug 10, 2019 platform sutra of the sixth patriarch. Hui neng is the most important chinese zen master the sixth patriarch, so whatever is said in this book defines what zen is. Delivered at tafan temple in shaochou by the sixth patriarch. It also contains the diamond sutra and huinengs commentary on it. Its key themes are the direct perception of ones true nature, and the unity in essence of sila. However, unlike the other sutras, which transcribe the teachings of the buddha himself, the platform sutra presents the life and work. Huineng was the sixth chinese patriarch of zen buddhism.
Sixth patriarchs dharma jewel platform sutra 1 by rev. Rather than being an incitement to egocentric spontaneity, the sudden awakening espoused by huineng can only. The platform sutra does not purport to be spoken by the buddha, but rather is spoken by a buddha, huineng, known as the sixth patriarch of zen or chan buddhism. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch consists of a record of the teachings of huineng, the sixth patriarch of the chan school in china, recorded by his disciple fahai, and is known by several abbreviated titles such as platform sutra or platform sutra of the dharma treasure. As a young and illiterate peddler of firewood, huineng heard the chinkang ching diamond sutra and traveled 500 m. This book consists of an easily accessible translation of the platform sutra and the sermons of shenhui, a. Huinengs instruction still matters the 7thcentury school of sudden awakening. The sutra of hui neng download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi.
If you wish to hear the teachings of the sages of the past, each of you must quiet the mind and hear me to the end. 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. Sutra spoken by the sixth patriarch on the high seat of the treasure of the law translated by c. Huineng, pinyin huineng, born 638, southwest kwangtung, chinadied 7, kwangtung, the sixth great patriarch of zen chan in chinese buddhism and founder of the southern school, which became the dominant school of zen, both in china and in japan as a young and illiterate peddler of firewood, huineng heard the chinkang ching diamond sutra and traveled 500 miles 800 km to. It relates the life and teachings of master hui neng, the great master the sixth patriarch, as set down by one of his disciples. He was given the name hui neng when he was born and he didnt change. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch purports to be a record of the teachings of huineng, as transcribed by an obscure disciple, fahai. However, unlike the other sutras, which transcribe the teachings of the buddha himself, the platform sutra presents the autobiography. Zenbuddhism theplatformsutrarevisited inresponsetotheschismbetweensouthernandnorthernschoolsofchanin8th centurychina,tsung. The platform sutra does not purport to be spoken by the buddha, but rather is spoken by a buddha, huineng, known as the sixth patriarch of zen or chan buddhism and also called huineng and in japanese, yeno or eno. Red pine, whose translations of the heart sutra and the diamond sutra have been celebrated and widely received, now provides a sensitive and assured. This edition of the platform sutra is another translation and close reading by bill porter, b. The platform sutra records the teachings of hui neng, the sixth patriarch, who is revered as one of the two great figures in the founding of chan zen buddhism. And it was because of the nature of wisdom that they could do so.
This record of the life and teachings of huineng, the sixth chan zen patriarch, is an eleventhcentury compilation with ancillary materials. The platform sutra download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. The platform sutra of the sixth patriarch is generally regarded as the basic classic of chan zen buddhism. Huineng is the most important chinese zen master the sixth patriarch, so whatever is said in this book defines what zen is. The sutra spoken by the sixth patriarch on the high seat of the treasure of the law, otherwise known as the platform sutra of hui neng. The protagonist of this convivial scripture, huineng of caoqi, is a living. Known as liuzu, he was the sixth grand master of chan zen buddhism. The teisho were given by harada shodoroshi at tahoma monastery tahomasan. Platform sutra of the dharma treasure of the great master. It proclaims the independence of the southern school of chan from the.
It deals with the buddhist notion that the only criterion of any significance whatsoever is the experience of seeing the buddhanature. This pdf file may be printed and distributed according to the terms of use estab lished on. Moreover, if there were no people in the world, none. The platform sutra part i huineng 6387 the seven hundred eminent monks understood the dharma. Most modern scholars doubt the historicity of traditional biographies and works written about huineng, considering his extended biography to be a legendary narrative based on a historical person of merely regional significance, of whom very little is known. Pdf the platform sutra download full pdf book download. The sixth patriarchs dharma jewel platform sutra thezensite. The sixth patriarchs dharma jewel platform sutra is the fundamental text of ch an buddhism. Jewel of the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch. The official title of his sutra is the dharma jewel of the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch, and this title represents the deepest truth of this sutra. 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. The platform sutra does not purport to be spoken by the buddha, but rather is spoken by a buddha, hui neng, known as the sixth patriarch of zen or chan buddhism and also called huineng and in japanese, yeno or eno.
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