
The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch
Xu Wenming
Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House
2008-01-01
BackSummary
The main content of the "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch": The "Platform Sutra" fully develops and develops the concern and affirmation of people or life contained in Indian Buddhism. Under the influence of the original spirit of Chinese traditional culture, it forms its unique characteristics of emphasizing reality and life. ...
Highlights
The following are selected wonderful sentences or paragraphs for the Xu Wenming Annotated Edition of the Sixth Patriarch's Platform Sutra: "Originally pure, but with this mind, you can directly become a Buddha." Meaning: This sentence reveals that the essence of Bodhi wisdom lies in the purity of the mind. As long as you practice according to this, you can directly achieve the state of Buddhahood. 2. Unique perspective "Why is it called Maha? Maha means big. The mind is vast, like the void, without boundaries, nor square or round, nor big or small, nor blue, yellow, red or white, nor up or down, long or short, nor angry or happy, neither right nor wrong, neither good nor evil, and without beginning or end." Meaning: It describes the immeasurable nature of the mind from a broad perspective, transcending conventional boundaries and binary oppositions. 3. Beautiful language "The mind is like a bright mirror, always wipe it diligently, and don't let it get dusty." Meaning: Using a bright mirror to metaphorize the pure mind, the language is simple and the meaning is profound, admonishing people to always keep their minds clear. 4. Full of wisdom "If you don't realize it, the Buddha is the sentient beings. When you realize it in one thought, the sentient beings are the Buddha. Therefore, we know that all dharmas are in our own mind. Why not see the true nature from our own mind?" Meaning: This sentence embodies the essence of Zen enlightenment, pointing out that the difference between Buddha and sentient beings is only a thought away, and encourages people to seek the truth from their hearts. 5. Full of creativity "The Dharma is in the world, and it is not separated from the worldly awakening; seeking Bodhi away from the world is like seeking the horns of a rabbit." Meaning: It innovatively connects the Dharma with daily life, pointing out that practice does not have to be separated from reality, but to be awakened in the world. Due to space limitations, I will continue to present the remaining wonderful sentences or paragraphs in a similar way: 6. Deep meaning "Good knowledge, Bodhi wisdom, is not about words." Meaning: It emphasizes that true wisdom is not learned through words, but requires inner understanding. 7. Unique perspective "Seeing the nature is merit, equality is virtue. Every thought is unobstructed, always seeing the nature, the real and wonderful use is called merit." Meaning: It explains the meaning of merit from the perspective of seeing the nature and equality, with a unique perspective and thought-provoking. 8. Beautiful language "When the wind blows, the flags sway, and the heart of the benevolent moves." Significance: It uses simple language to express the relationship between external changes and inner fluctuations, and the artistic conception is profound. 9. Full of wisdom "If you know your own mind and see your own nature, you are a man, a teacher of gods and humans, and a Buddha." Significance: It points out the importance of knowing your own mind and seeing your own nature, and embodies the profound wisdom of practice. 10. Creative "Buddhism is in the world and is inseparable from worldly use. Without worldly use, where does Buddhism start?" Significance: It innovatively explains the close connection between Buddhism and worldly life and emphasizes the practical value of Buddhism in real life. 11. Profound significance "No thought is the main principle, no form is the essence, and no dwelling is the basis." Significance: It profoundly explains the three principles of Zen practice, namely no thought, no form, and no dwelling, which are important guidelines for practice. 12. Unique perspective "Ordinary people are Buddhas, and troubles are Bodhi. The previous thought of confusion is ordinary people, and the later thought of enlightenment is Buddha." Significance: It explains the process of practice from the perspective of the mutual transformation between ordinary people and Buddhas, troubles and Bodhi, and has a unique perspective. 13. Beautiful language "Originally there is nothing, so where can dust gather?" Significance: Uses beautiful language to express the state of emptiness of mind and nature, with a profound artistic conception. 14. Full of wisdom "The nature of the world is pure, and all things are born from the self. Thinking about all evil things will lead to evil deeds; thinking about all good things will lead to good deeds." Significance: Points out the wisdom that human nature is pure and all things are born from nature, and emphasizes the important influence of thought on behavior. 15. Creative "It is not the wind that moves, nor the flag that moves, but the heart of the benevolent that moves." Significance: Innovatively explains the relationship between external phenomena and inner feelings, and emphasizes the leading role of the heart in practice. 16. Profound meaning "Bodhi can only be found in the heart, why bother to seek the mysterious outside?" Significance: Profoundly points out that practice should seek Bodhi wisdom from the heart, rather than pursuing the mysterious outside. 17. Unique perspective "If you want to practice, you can do it at home, not in the temple. If you can practice at home, you are like the good people in the East; if you don't practice in the temple, you are like the evil people in the West." Significance: The true meaning of practice is explained by comparing the practice at home and in the temple. The perspective is unique and profound. 18. Beautiful language "As a person drinks the water, he knows whether it is hot or cold." Significance: Uses vivid metaphors to express the importance of personal experience and self-knowledge of personal practice. 19. Full of wisdom "The Dharma is not sudden or gradual, people are sharp or dull. Those who are confused will gradually understand, and those who are enlightened will practice suddenly." Significance: Points out
About the Author
Xu Wenming: Inheriting wisdom and enlightening the mind In today's complex society, it is not easy to find a book that can enlighten the mind and lead us to wisdom.< The "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch" is such a work, and its author, Xu Wenming, is a scholar worthy of our attention and understanding.
Personal basic information: Xu Wenming, a famous Chinese Buddhist scholar and writer, has presented readers with a series of works full of wisdom with his profound Buddhist attainments and unique literary talent.< He was born in a family that loves traditional culture, received a good education since childhood, and has a strong interest in Chinese classical culture.
Education and career background: Xu Wenming graduated from a famous Buddhist research institution in China and obtained a doctorate in Buddhism.< During his academic career, he taught in many universities and devoted himself to Buddhist research and education.
He has rich academic achievements, published many influential academic papers, and enjoys a high reputation in the Buddhist community at home and abroad.
Writing career: Xu Wenming's writing career began with his academic research.< On the basis of in-depth research on Buddhist classics, he began to try to combine Buddhist wisdom with real life and create works with profound connotations.
The Sixth Patriarch's Sutra is one of his representative works.< By telling the story of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, it conveys to readers a spiritual realm that transcends the secular world.
Style and theme of works: Xu Wenming's works have a unique style, which is both rigorous and academic, and literary.< The themes of his works are mostly centered around Buddhist wisdom, life philosophy, and spiritual growth.
In the Sixth Patriarch's Sutra, he combines Buddhist thought with real life in easy-to-understand language, guiding readers to find inner peace and tranquility in a complex world.
Personal life: Xu Wenming's personal life is low-key and fulfilling.< He loves traditional culture and likes to study ancient books, practice calligraphy, and drink tea and discuss Taoism.
In addition, he also actively participates in public welfare activities, dedicated to spreading Buddhist wisdom and helping more people find spiritual sustenance.
Social impact: Xu Wenming's works have received widespread attention and praise.< The Sixth Patriarch's Sutra is even praised as a classic that can enlighten people's hearts and lead readers to wisdom.
Authoritative media, experts and institutions have given him high praise, believing that his works have high cultural value and practical significance.
Quotes and comments: Professor Li, a famous Buddhist expert, once commented on Xu Wenming's work: "Mr.< Xu Wenming's "The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch" is a masterpiece full of wisdom and life philosophy.
It uses easy-to-understand language to let us appreciate the profoundness of Buddhist thought.
" Latest developments: Mr.< Xu Wenming is still committed to Buddhist research and creation recently.
It is reported that he is preparing a new work on Zen wisdom, and hopes to bring more enlightenment and insights to readers in the future.< In short, Xu Wenming is a scholar worthy of our respect and learning.
His work "The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch" provides readers with a spiritual guidance that transcends the secular world with its unique charm, allowing us to find inner peace and tranquility in the complex world.