The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, Vol. 1

Quotes from The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch

 

The patriarch kept his robe (kaṣāya) hidden and would not let anyone see it. He preached the Diamond Sutra for me. When he reached the word “..[the mind] should be [intrinsically] non-abiding and [incessantly] brings forth other minds,” I experienced instantaneous enlightenment, [realizing that] all the myriad dharmas do not transcend their self-natures. I informed the patriarch of this, saying:

“No matter when, the self-natures are fundamentally and naturally pure.

No matter when, the self-natures are fundamentally neither generated nor extinguished.

No matter when, the self-natures are fundamentally and naturally sufficient unto themselves.

No matter when, the self-natures are fundamentally without movement.

No matter when, the self-natures are able to generate the myriad dharmas.