DESCRIPTION

The next layer of Buddhist texts we shall explore is the vast literature of the Chan/Zen tradition 禪宗, which developed out of and subsequent to the the ‘mind-only’ sutras of the Yogacara School, in particular the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra. Although the early schools of this sect are known to have taught from the Laṅkāvatāra and other Mahayana sutras, the de fact motto of Zen is that it represents a special transmission of the Dharma that does not rely upon words and letters (i.e. sutras). Therefore, it is important to understand that the collections of ‘kōans’ 公案 (’public cases’) and sayings of Zen masters such as Bodhidharma, Linji, and Dōgen are not considered commentary on or analysis of the Dharma. Due to the ‘Buddhine’ status of such teachers, records of their teachings are consider the Dharma itself.  

PART ONE: THE PLATFORM SUTRA OF THE 6TH PATRIARCH

The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (六祖壇經 Liùzǔ Tánjīng or simply: 壇經 Tánjīng) is a Chan Buddhist scripture that was composed in China sometime around the 8th century. Notably, In Chan Buddhism it is the only Chinese Buddhist text that is explicitly referred to as a "Sutra," emphasizing its central importance in the canon.

The text centers on the teachings and stories ascribed to the sixth Chan patriarch Huineng. It contains the well-known story of the contest for the succession of Hongren (the 5th Patriarch), and discourses and dialogues attributed to Huineng.

PART TWO: KOANS & ZEN SAYINGS

PART THREE: RECURSION

SUGGESTED READING

7️⃣ Philip B. Yampolsky, The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, from the Introduction, ‘Formation of the Legend (New York; Columbia University Press, 1967), p.1-55.