Honorable Sixth Patriarch




There is a well-known story of the Honorable Sixth Patriarch, Venerable Master Hui Neng, regarding the movements of many thoughts which I would like to introduce to you. The Venerable Hui Neng lived in the seventh and early eighth century, and he received the Dharma transmission from his master, the Venerable Fifth Patriarch, Hung Yen. While Hui Neng was still a layman pounding rice in the monastery, he was called to the room of the Abbot Hung Yen. The Fifth Patriarch expounded the Diamond Sutra to Hui Neng.  When he came to the words "One should use your mind in such as way that it will be free from attachment," Hui Neng was greatly enlightened. Seeing into his nature, and realizing the essence of mind. The Fifth Patriarch then told Hui Neng, "You are now the Sixth Patriarch, please help as many sentient beings as possible.  Spread and preserve the teaching, and don't let it come to an end."
Hui Neng then left the monastery in the middle of the night, and afterwards underwent various hardships in order to preach the Dharma for the sake of all people. Once, a monk presented the following verse to the Sixth Patriarch, composed by the Chan Master Wo Lun.
Wo Lun has ways and means
To cut off the movements of many thoughts
When the mind does not rise in reaction to circumstances
The tree of enlightenment will steadily grow.
Hearing this verse, Master Hui Neng said, "This verse indicates that the person who composed it has not yet completely realized the essence of mind." The Sixth Patriarch then showed the monk the following verse.
Hui Neng has no ways and means
To cut off the movements of many thoughts
The mind is often rising in reaction to circumstances
How then, can enlightenment grow?
Often when people begin to practise Buddhist meditation, they come to think that cutting off the movements of many thoughts is a goal, or a standard of practice. However, here the Sixth Patriarch states clearly that he has no ways and means for cutting off the movements of many thoughts. And that the mind is often rising in reaction to circumstances. Buddhist meditation is not a matter of trying to cut off the movements of many thoughts. Buddhism teaches the Middle Way. It is said that too much thought and we lose the Way. It is said that too much thought and we lose the Way. Too little thought and we also miss the Way. From this we can see that is important for students of the Buddhist Way to know themselves and clarify the Way.

http://www.buddhistdoor.com/OldWeb/bdoor/0006e/sources/realms.htm

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