PART 2: The Platform Sutra (Red Pine)

Red Pine (translator); Sixth and Last Patriarch Dajian Huineng; Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Wisdom Quarterly, Roshi Jeff Albrizze (PasaDharma.org)  MAHAYANA/HINDUISM

Tian Tan Buddha, a massive statue of Buddha Amoghasiddhi, completed in 1993, located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, Hong Kong (Robert Montgomery/flickr.com)

 

Kwan Yin Bodhisattva (Avalokitateshvara/Wiki)

[PART 1] The Platform Sutra occupies a central place in Zen (Ch'an) Buddhist instruction. 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.

 

Delivered at Tafan Temple in Shaochou by the Sixth Patriarch Hui-neng, compiled and recorded by Fa-hai, recipient of the Formless Precepts and advocate of the Dharma.

 

The Platform Sutra

...This nature of ours in which the ten thousand dharmas [literally, "things," "phenomena," or Dharmas, "teachings"] are present is what we mean by the pure dharma body. Those of you who take refuge [sarana actually means to "seek guidance"] in yourselves, if you get rid of bad thoughts and bad practices, this is called taking refuge.

What do we mean by the myriad-fold transformation-body? If we didn't think, our nature would be utterly empty. When we think, we transform ourselves. If we think evil [i.e., unskillful, unprofitable, motivated by greed, hate/fear, or delusion] thoughts, we turn into the denizens of hell(s). If we think good [skillful, profitable, wholesome, motivated by nongreed, nonhatred/nonfear, or nondelusion] thoughts, we turn into the deities of heaven(s).

Malice turns us into beasts. Compassion turns us into bodhisattvas [beings-bent-on-enlightenment]. Wisdom transports us to the higher realms, and ignorance sends us into the lower depths. Our nature is constantly transforming itself, but deluded people are unaware of this.

Once we think of goodness, wisdom arises. One lamp can dispel a thousand years of darkness, and one thought of wisdom can end ten thousand years of ignorance. Stay in the present (rather than wasting this precious moment, which is all that ever exists, by casting the mind back to past events). Keep thinking about what's next. 

 

When your next thought is always good, this is what we call the realization body. One bad thought results in the destruction of a thousand good ones. But one good thought results in the annihilation of a thousand years of bad ones. In the face of impermanence (अनित्य), if your next thought is good, this is what we call the realization body. CONCLUDES IN PART 3