Although words cannot express truth, they can be catalysts for the advent of awakening, as huineng describes his first hearing of the diamond sutra and as two friends and fellow students of richard rose found out in 1999, one upon reading something written by alfred pulyan, the other when reading something written by franklin merrellwolff. Hui neng 6387 was the sixth patriarch of zen in china, but is often regarded as the true father of the zen tradition. Hui neng is a central figure of zen buddhist tradition. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng by wong moulam, 97815903071, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Moulam also translated the diamond sutra and the sutra of hui neng, two of the most treasured works of buddhist literature, the first of which is considered the oldest existing printed book in the world. The sutra of hui neng is the longest of these three works, and is different again. The sutra of hui neng, also known as the platform sutra, contains the autobiography of hui neng, the sixth ancestor of zen in china, regarded as the founder of the living zen lineages. 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. I asked the man what the name of the book was that he was reciting and he told me that it was the diamond sutra. The diamond sutra three major aspects of the diamond sutra the sutra is a record of a dialogue between the buddha and one of the ten great disciples, subhuti, in front of 1,250 buddhas followers. The platform refers to the podium on which a buddhist teacher speaks.
The diamond sutra is one of the most revered texts in all of mahayana buddhism. It is known as the diamond sutra because its teachings are said to be like diamonds that cut away all dualistic thought, releasing one from the attachment to objects and bringing one to the further shore of enlightenment. Description of the book sutra of huineng, grand master of zen. In addition to the actual text of the diamond sutra this web site provides a diamond sutra background page which explains the origins of the diamond sutra and information about how this new translation was done. An both buys the firewood and recites the diamond sutra. But if you practice with our discipline and with patience, if you practice nonclinging, you will eventually. The opening gatha was composed by thich nhat hanh to precede the translation.
Click on document diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala classics pdf. F download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala classics moulam, wong, price, a. It is said countless people awakened to the way and transcended the ordinary. The diamond sutra and the sutra of hui neng internet archive. 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. The tsutang chi, i, 90, has an taocheng give hui neng 100 hang to. Watch out too for an intriguing discussion of the sutra as. Diamond sutra, all forms everywhere are unreal and false. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala dragon editions a. Read the sutra of huineng, grand master of zen with huinengs commentary on the diamond sutra by thomas cleary available from rakuten kobo. Dedication of merit may the merit and virtue accrued from this work adorn amitabha buddhas pure land. The diamond sutra, composed in india in the fourth century ce, is one of the most treasured works of buddhist literature and is the oldest existing printed book.
A general explanation of the vajra prajna paramita sutra by dhyana master hsuan hua. 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. This collection of his talks, also known as the platform or altar sutra, is the only zen record of its kind to be generally honored with the appellation sutra, or scripture. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng by wong mou.
This sutra appears in thich nhat hanh, chanting from the. Subhuti was known to best understand the true meaning of emptiness. It would be best to leave this verse here and to have. Diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala classics pdf. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng by huineng. The sutra of hui neng, 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. Wong moulam in 1930, and published in the form of a 4to papercovered book by the yu ching press of shanghai. Have you ever looked at the altar sutra of the 6th patriarch, hui neng. Some very funny parts to this talk and some excellent evocations of rigorous dharma practice as part of the everyday business of life. Huineng 6387 was the sixth patriarch of zen in china, but is often. Like many buddhist sutras, the diamond sutra begins with the famous phrase, thus have i heard. The sixth patriarch is the sixth successor after bodhidharma. He is the last of the early grand masters or founding teachers of zen. Huineng author of the diamond sutra and the sutra of hui.
This book consists of an easily accessible translation of the platform sutra and the sermons of shenhui, a disciple that made huinengs teaching popular. It is a classic of the worlds spiritual literature. Diamond sutra a new translation of the classic buddhist text. Its key themes are the direct perception of ones true nature, and the unity in essence of sila. Known as liuzu, he was the sixth grand master of chan zen buddhism. Hui neng autobiography learned audience, our essence of mind literally, selfnature which is the seed or kernel of enlightenment bodhi is pure by nature, and by making use of this mind alone we can reach buddhahood directly. The first, and apparently the only published translation into english of the sutra of wei lang hui neng was completed by the late mr.
The sutra of huineng, grand master of zen rakuten kobo. The diamond sutra, composed in india in the fourth century ce, is one of the most treasured works of buddhist literature and is the oldest existing printed book in the world. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala dragon. The buddha said this sutra may be known as the diamond that cuts through illusion. It is the mindverses submitted by huineng and his alter ego, shenxiu. That quote is from the diamond sutra, which was given by the buddha. It is a remarkable document, telling the history of the sixth chan patriarch, hui neng 6387, a semilegendary teacher who, though uneducated and illiterate, gained enlightenment when accidentally hearing the diamond sutra being recited. Kuo hui weber, a serious cultivator and talented dharma protector. Read download the diamond sutra and the sutra of hui neng. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala classics. With huinengs commentary on the diamond sutra shambhala dragon editions ebook.
Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Huineng 6177 is perhaps the most respected and beloved figure in zen buddhism. The sutra of huineng is here accompanied by huinengs versebyverse commentary on the diamond sutrain its. It is an important buddhist text that has a long and profound history. 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. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng ebook by. 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. The tsutang chi, i, 90, has an taocheng give huineng 100 hang to. Translated into a variety of languages over a broad geographic range, the diamond sutra is one of the most influential mahayana sutras in east asia, and it is particularly prominent within the chan or zen tradition, along with the. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala classics kindle edition by evanswentz, w.
The two primary sources for huinengs life are the preface to the platform sutra and the transmission of the lamp. The diamond sutra is the worlds earliest dated printed book. A poor illiterate woodcutter, hui neng was said to have attained enlightenment upon hearing a recitation of the diamond sutra. Pdf the platform sutra download full pdf book download. An illiterate woodcutter who attained enlightenment in a flash, he became the renowned sixth patriarch of chan, or chinese zen.
The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng shambhala classics. That huineng was enlightened upon hearing this passage from the diamond sutra 8, p. Now let me tell you something about my own life and how i. With his customary dry wit and sharp eye he leads us on the crazy paving path through the diamond sutra a text guaranteed to turn your world upsidedown.
It is a very profound teaching, not easy for beginners to understand. Why are the heart sutra and the diamond sutra so popular with buddhists. Huineng often spelt hui neng or hui neng, 6387 is one of the major chinese sages. Upon a time buddha sojourned in anathapindikas park by shravasti with a great company of bhikshus, even twelve hundred and fifty. Price is the translator of the ancient and revered zen buddhist scriptures the diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng. Honoring the diamond sutra wherever this sutra is honored and revered there is a sacred site enshrining the presence of the buddha or one of the buddhas most venerable disciples. The official title of his sutra is the dharma jewel of the platform sutra of the sixth patriarch, and this title represents the. With bad advisors forever left behind, from paths of evil he departs for eternity. The diamond sutra and the sutra of hui neng pdf ebook. Transforming the way we perceive the world by mu soenq gick here for the reluctant messenger host site the diamond sutra the walled city of dunhuang shachou was an outpost on the northwestern frontier, whose. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng, book by wong. This edition of the platform sutra is another translation and close reading by bill porter, b. Huineng 6387 is perhaps the most beloved and respected figure in zen buddhism.