There is no Buddhist ancestor who has a more captivating story than Huineng. Raised by his mother after his father, an exiled minor regional official died He was also said to be illiterate. It is claimed that he was also a quick study, one with insight and comprehension. Yet the lore also obscures his life and teaching.
Nonetheless, he is seen as a key figure in the Chan school’s reaching a pinnacle in Chinese Buddhism becoming its own version of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teaching.
The legend says while selling wood, he overheard someone quoting a phrase from the Diamond Sutra: "one should activate one's mind so it has no attachment.” In other stories the Diamond Sutra was explained to Huineng by his teacher Hung-jen.
It seems in the first story a friend told him to go see Hung-jen to hear his teachings and Hung-jen talked about Sunyanta or emptiness. Wherein all Dharma exists as potential. It is awaiting conditions of insight into its meaning, when one is ready–when one is ready the teachings will arise.
Hung-jen, in their meeting, asked Huineng why a barbarian from the south wanted to become a Buddha to which Huineng was to have replied, while you might say north and south, there is no such distinction in our Buddha Nature. This point is basic to Dogen’s later query, if we are already Buddha why do we need to practice?
A few months later Huineng arrived, a test of students was administered by Hung-jen asking for their understanding of mind to be presented in a poem. The Head Student, Shenxiu wrote:
The body is the bodhi tree.
The mind is like a bright mirror’s stand and must not let dust collect.
At all times we must strive to polish it and must not let dust collect.
Having someone read this to him Huineng had that person write the following:
The Bodhi originally has no tree.
The mirror has no stand. The Buddha-nature is always clear and pure. Where is there room for dust?
Hung-jen, having read Huineng’s response, summoned him in the middle of the night and gave him heart-to-heart transmission along with the bowl and robe of Shakyamuni Buddha. He told Huineng to go into hiding as unrest was to follow. A group from the monastery chased him for months and caught up with him but the leader asked to be his student rather than taking him back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX7uk94VFwI
Huineng returned and taught and his writings were compiled by students (Fa-Hai) and was also the last person to receive the Buddha’s bowl and robe.
Key Teachings for Discussion:
Sudden Enlightenment
Huineng emphasized that enlightenment can occur instantaneously, through direct insight into the true nature of reality, rather than through a gradual, step-by-step process.
Non-Duality
He taught the principle of non-duality, where distinctions between self and other, good and bad, and other dualistic concepts are ultimately illusory.
Buddha Nature
Huineng believed that all sentient beings inherently possess Buddha Nature, meaning everyone has the potential for enlightenment.
No-Thought
This teaching involves being aware of thoughts as they arise but not clinging to them or being carried away by them, fostering a state of pure awareness.
Original Mind
He emphasized returning to the 'Original Mind,' a pure state free from delusion and attachments, which is the true nature of all beings.
Direct Experience
Huineng stressed the importance of personal experience and direct insight over intellectual understanding or scriptural study.
Emptiness
He taught that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence and that realizing this emptiness leads to liberation.
Genuine Morality
According to Huineng, true morality arises naturally from an enlightened mind and is not just about following precepts or rules.
Practical Meditation
He encouraged a form of meditation that involves observing the mind and maintaining awareness in all activities, rather than only during seated meditation.
Critique of Ritualism
Huineng criticized excessive reliance on rituals, ceremonies, and external forms, advocating instead for a focus on internal realization and direct experience.
Palms together,
Sangaku
—----------------
Please join us August 6, 2024, at 7:00PM/EDT in person at The First Congregational Church of Falmouth or
Password FSZS
Comments