Difference between revisions of "Chapter 5. Dhyana"
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Chapter V. [[Dhyana]] | Chapter V. [[Dhyana]] | ||
| − | The [[Patriarch]] (one day) preached to the assembly as follows:-- | + | The [[Patriarch]] (one day) {{Wiki|preached}} to the assembly as follows:-- |
| − | In our system of [[meditation]], we neither dwell upon the [[mind]] (in contradistinction to the {{Wiki|Essence}} of {{Wiki|Mind}}) nor upon {{Wiki|purity}}. Nor do we approve of non-activity. As to dwelling upon the [[mind]], the [[mind]] is primarily delusive; and when we realize that it is only a [[Wikipedia:Illusion|phantasm]] there is no need to dwell on it. As to dwelling upon purity, our nature is intrinsically pure; and so far as we get rid of all delusive '{{Wiki|idea}}' there will be nothing but purity in our {{Wiki|nature}}, for it is the delusive idea that obscures {{Wiki|Tathata}} ({{Wiki|Suchness}}). If we direct our mind to dwell upon purity we are only creating another {{Wiki|delusion}}, the {{Wiki|delusion}} of purity. Since {{Wiki|delusion}} has no abiding place, it is delusive to dwell upon it. Purity has neither shape nor form; but some people go so far as to invent the 'Form of Purity', and treat it as a problem for solution. Holding such an opinion, these people are purity-ridden, and their {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]] is thereby obscured. | + | In our system of [[meditation]], we neither dwell upon the [[mind]] (in contradistinction to the {{Wiki|Essence}} of {{Wiki|Mind}}) nor upon {{Wiki|purity}}. Nor do we approve of [[non-activity]]. As to dwelling upon the [[mind]], the [[mind]] is primarily delusive; and when we realize that it is only a [[Wikipedia:Illusion|phantasm]] there is no need to dwell on it. As to dwelling upon [[purity]], our nature is intrinsically [[pure]]; and so far as we get rid of all delusive '{{Wiki|idea}}' there will be [[nothing]] but [[purity]] in our {{Wiki|nature}}, for it is the delusive [[idea]] that obscures {{Wiki|Tathata}} ({{Wiki|Suchness}}). If we direct our [[mind]] to dwell upon [[purity]] we are only creating another {{Wiki|delusion}}, the {{Wiki|delusion}} of [[purity]]. Since {{Wiki|delusion}} has no abiding place, it is delusive to dwell upon it. [[Purity]] has neither [[shape]] nor [[form]]; but some [[people]] go so far as to invent the '[[Form]] of [[Purity]]', and treat it as a problem for solution. [[Holding]] such an opinion, these [[people]] are purity-ridden, and their {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]] is thereby obscured. |
[[File:0437.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:0437.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Learned Audience, those who train themselves for 'imperturbability' should, in their contact with all types of men, ignore the faults of others. They should be indifferent to others' [[merit]] or demerit, good or evil, for such an attitude accords with the 'imperturbability of the {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]]'. Learned Audience, a man unenlightened may be unperturbed physically, but as soon as he opens his mouth he criticizes others and talks about their [[merits]] or demerits, ability or weakness, good or evil; thus he deviates from the right course. On the other hand, to dwell upon our own [[mind]] or upon purity is also a stumbling-block in the Path. | + | Learned Audience, those who train themselves for 'imperturbability' should, in their [[contact]] with all types of men, ignore the faults of others. They should be indifferent to others' [[merit]] or demerit, good or [[evil]], for such an [[attitude]] accords with the 'imperturbability of the {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]]'. Learned Audience, a man unenlightened may be unperturbed {{Wiki|physically}}, but as soon as he opens his {{Wiki|mouth}} he criticizes others and talks about their [[merits]] or [[demerits]], ability or weakness, good or [[evil]]; thus he deviates from the right course. On the other hand, to dwell upon our own [[mind]] or upon [[purity]] is also a stumbling-block in the [[Path]]. |
| − | The [[Patriarch]] on another occasion preached to the assembly as follows:-- | + | The [[Patriarch]] on another occasion {{Wiki|preached}} to the assembly as follows:-- |
| − | Learned Audience, what is sitting for [[meditation]]? In our School, to sit means to gain absolute freedom and to be mentally unperturbed in all outward circumstances, be they good or otherwise. To [[meditate]] means to realize inwardly the imperturbability of the {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]]. | + | Learned Audience, what is sitting for [[meditation]]? In our School, to sit means to gain [[absolute]] freedom and to be [[mentally]] unperturbed in all outward circumstances, be they good or otherwise. To [[meditate]] means to realize inwardly the imperturbability of the {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]]. |
| − | Learned Audience, what are [[Dhyana]] and [[Samadhi]]? [[Dhyana]] means to be free from [[attachment]] to all outer objects, and [[Samadhi]] means to attain inner peace. If we are attached to outer objects, our inner [[mind]] will be perturbed. When we are free from [[attachment]] to all outer objects, the [[mind]] will be in peace. Our {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]] is intrinsically pure, and the reason why we are perturbed is because we allow ourselves to be carried away by the circumstances we are in. He who is able to keep his [[mind]] unperturbed, irrespective of circumstances, has attained [[Samadhi]]. | + | Learned Audience, what are [[Dhyana]] and [[Samadhi]]? [[Dhyana]] means to be free from [[attachment]] to all outer [[objects]], and [[Samadhi]] means to attain inner [[peace]]. If we are attached to outer [[objects]], our inner [[mind]] will be perturbed. When we are free from [[attachment]] to all outer [[objects]], the [[mind]] will be in [[peace]]. Our {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]] is intrinsically [[pure]], and the [[reason]] why we are perturbed is because we allow ourselves to be carried away by the circumstances we are in. He who is able to keep his [[mind]] unperturbed, irrespective of circumstances, has attained [[Samadhi]]. |
| − | To be free from [[attachment]] to all outer objects is [[Dhyana]], and to attain inner peace is [[Samadhi]]. When we are in a position to deal with [[Dhyana]] and to keep our inner mind in [[Samadhi]], then we are said to have attained [[Dhyana]] and [[Samadhi]]. The [[Bodhisattva]] [[Sila Sutra]] says, "Our {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]] is intrinsically pure." Learned Audience, let us realize this for ourselves at all times. Let us train ourselves, practice it by ourselves, and attain [[Buddhahood]] by our own effort. | + | To be free from [[attachment]] to all outer [[objects]] is [[Dhyana]], and to attain inner [[peace]] is [[Samadhi]]. When we are in a position to deal with [[Dhyana]] and to keep our inner [[mind]] in [[Samadhi]], then we are said to have attained [[Dhyana]] and [[Samadhi]]. The [[Bodhisattva]] [[Sila Sutra]] says, "Our {{Wiki|Essence}} of [[Mind]] is intrinsically [[pure]]." Learned Audience, let us realize this for ourselves at all times. Let us train ourselves, practice it by ourselves, and attain [[Buddhahood]] by our own [[effort]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/huineng/huineng5.html www.sinc.sunysb.edu] | [http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/huineng/huineng5.html www.sinc.sunysb.edu] | ||
[[Category:The Sutra of Hui Neng]] | [[Category:The Sutra of Hui Neng]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:55, 17 September 2013
SUTRA SPOKEN BY THE SIXTH PATRIARCH ON THE HIGH SEAT OF "THE TREASURE OF THE LAW"
Chapter V. Dhyana
The Patriarch (one day) preached to the assembly as follows:--
In our system of meditation, we neither dwell upon the mind (in contradistinction to the Essence of Mind) nor upon purity. Nor do we approve of non-activity. As to dwelling upon the mind, the mind is primarily delusive; and when we realize that it is only a phantasm there is no need to dwell on it. As to dwelling upon purity, our nature is intrinsically pure; and so far as we get rid of all delusive 'idea' there will be nothing but purity in our nature, for it is the delusive idea that obscures Tathata (Suchness). If we direct our mind to dwell upon purity we are only creating another delusion, the delusion of purity. Since delusion has no abiding place, it is delusive to dwell upon it. Purity has neither shape nor form; but some people go so far as to invent the 'Form of Purity', and treat it as a problem for solution. Holding such an opinion, these people are purity-ridden, and their Essence of Mind is thereby obscured.
Learned Audience, those who train themselves for 'imperturbability' should, in their contact with all types of men, ignore the faults of others. They should be indifferent to others' merit or demerit, good or evil, for such an attitude accords with the 'imperturbability of the Essence of Mind'. Learned Audience, a man unenlightened may be unperturbed physically, but as soon as he opens his mouth he criticizes others and talks about their merits or demerits, ability or weakness, good or evil; thus he deviates from the right course. On the other hand, to dwell upon our own mind or upon purity is also a stumbling-block in the Path.
The Patriarch on another occasion preached to the assembly as follows:--
Learned Audience, what is sitting for meditation? In our School, to sit means to gain absolute freedom and to be mentally unperturbed in all outward circumstances, be they good or otherwise. To meditate means to realize inwardly the imperturbability of the Essence of Mind.
Learned Audience, what are Dhyana and Samadhi? Dhyana means to be free from attachment to all outer objects, and Samadhi means to attain inner peace. If we are attached to outer objects, our inner mind will be perturbed. When we are free from attachment to all outer objects, the mind will be in peace. Our Essence of Mind is intrinsically pure, and the reason why we are perturbed is because we allow ourselves to be carried away by the circumstances we are in. He who is able to keep his mind unperturbed, irrespective of circumstances, has attained Samadhi.
To be free from attachment to all outer objects is Dhyana, and to attain inner peace is Samadhi. When we are in a position to deal with Dhyana and to keep our inner mind in Samadhi, then we are said to have attained Dhyana and Samadhi. The Bodhisattva Sila Sutra says, "Our Essence of Mind is intrinsically pure." Learned Audience, let us realize this for ourselves at all times. Let us train ourselves, practice it by ourselves, and attain Buddhahood by our own effort.
