Category Archives: The Platform Sutra

A Farewell Stanza from Hui-neng

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Vajragoni

(Yampolsky)  The Master passed away on the third day of the eighth month of the second year of Hsien-t’ien (= August 28,713). On the eighth day of the seventh month he called his disciples together and bade them farewell. In … Continue reading →

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Transmission

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Vajragoni

  Part 3:  MISCELLANEA  The remainder of the Platform Sutra consists in an assortment of miscellaneous and unrelated subject matter. A portion amounts to a repetition of the sermon material on prajñā, along with sundry accounts of the superiority of … Continue reading →

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Proclamation of the Bodhi-Dharma

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Vajragoni

    (Wong Mou-Lam)  Learned Audience, when we use Prajñā for introspection we are illumined within and without, and in a position to know our own mind. To know our mind is to obtain liberation. To obtain liberation is to … Continue reading →

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Walk like a Tathāgata

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Vajragoni

  (Wong Mou-Lam) “Learned Audience, in this system of mine one Prajñā produces eighty-four thousand ways of wisdom, since there are that number of ‘defilements’ for us to cope with; but when one is free from defilements, wisdom reveals itself, … Continue reading →

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Prajñā-pāramitā

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Vajragoni

(Yampolsky)  “What is prajñā?  Prajñā is wisdom (chih-hi). When at all times successive thoughts contain no ignorance, and you always practice wisdom, this is known as the practice of prajñā. If but one instant of thought contains ignorance, then prajñā is cut off; … Continue reading →

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Taking Refuge

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Vajragoni

  Receiving the signless precepts through the recitation of the three refuges (Yampolsky) “Having finished repentance, I shall give you the formless precepts of the three refuges.” The Master said: “Good friends, ‘take refuge in enlightenment [the Buddha], the most honored … Continue reading →

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O’ Wanderer, Turn-About and Save Thyself

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Vajragoni

  Reciting the four Bodhisattva Vows (Yampolsky) “Now that you have already taken refuge in the threefold body of Buddha, I shall expound to you the four great vows. Good friends, recite in unison what I say: ‘I vow to … Continue reading →

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The Three Bodies of the Tathagata

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Vajragoni

(Yampolsky)  “Good friends, you must all with your own bodies receive the precepts of formlessness and recite in unison what I am about to say. It will make you see the threefold body of the Buddha in your own selves. ‘I … Continue reading →

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Fatal Obstructions

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Vajragoni

(Yampolsky)  “Good friends, in this teaching from the outset sitting in meditation does not concern the mind nor does it concern purity; we do not talk of steadfastness. If someone speaks of ‘viewing the mind,’ [then I would say] that … Continue reading →

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Wu-hsin

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Vajragoni

(Yampolsky) Good friends, in the Dharma there is no sudden or gradual, but among people some are keen and others dull. The deluded recommend the gradual method, the enlightened practice the sudden teaching. To understand the original mind of yourself … Continue reading →

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