The Influence of “Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch” on Japanese Zen
Abstract
This paper is based on speech of master Hui-neng and his well-known " Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch", which showed us the endless wisdom by Hui-neng’s enlightenment. There are some different version of “Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch” till now in the world. Based on master Jing-hui’s viewpoint, “the original Sutras of Caoxi" was the oldest version. No matter how the methods of enlightenment are different, they are helpful to see one’s self-nature. Let us think about what Chinese Zen is, what the awakening mind is, and so on. In the process of Zen being introduced and inherited into Japan, this paper selects two representative figures of Japanese Zen. One is master Myoan Eisai who was the founder of Rinzai Zen, and the other is master Eihei Dogen who brought the Sōtō school of Zen from China to Japan. The paper introduces the influence and application of Zen in Japan at the original time and in modern Japan till now.
References
- WangYue Qing commenting, “Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch”by Hui-neng, December 2002.
- Wang Yueqing, “Introduction” of “Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch” October 2002
- Alberto Welter, “Eisai's Promotion of Zen for the Protection of the Country”
- Alberto Welter, “Eisai's Promotion of Zen for the Protection of the Country” 1999 “Promoting Zen for the Protection of the Country: Eisai and the Kôzen gokoku ron.” George Tanabe, ed. Religions of Japan in Practice. Princeton: Princeton University Press, Princeton Readings in Religion: 63-70.
- Cai-chao, Japanese Translate Research of “Biography of Master of Caoxi”, Classification number: Z2020016
- Kim, Hee-jin (2004) [1975, 1980, 1987]. Eihei Dogen, Mystical Realist. Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-0-86171-376-9.