Baihua Tanjing Buddhist Cultural Essence Series

Author: Wei Daoru (translator and annotator)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-10-01
Features: Chapter 22 of Dream of the Red Chamber describes "Baoyu's Enlightenment to Zen," where Xue Baochai tells Jia Baoyu a story about the competition of verses between Huineng and Shenxiu. This story had a significant impact on Jia Baoyu's pessimistic and escapist worldview. Anyone who has read this great work will be familiar with it. This story appears in the Platform Sutra. Based on the materials discovered so far, the Platform Sutra emerged in the late 8th century during the mid-Tang Dynasty and is a representative classic of the school of Mind Zen within Chan Buddhism. It has had a considerable influence on scholars and officials in the following generations. This influence is reflected not only in literary works like Dream of the Red Chamber but also in more profound spiritual teachings.
"Zen does not rely on words," yet the Platform Sutra is passed down through writing, which seems to deviate greatly from Huineng's original intent. However, the Platform Sutra happens to emphasize Huineng's teachings and stipulates that only by "passing on the Platform Sutra through successive teachings" can one "remain true to the original tradition." It denies all authority and verbal instruction, all in the name of establishing its own authority and teachings. It lacks self-criticism. It is said that the Platform Sutra was spoken by Huineng. However, like Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan Buddhism, Huineng's image has been shaped over time. There are multiple accounts of Huineng's place of origin, social status, and ethnicity. Chan Buddhism requires an idealized leader rather than a purely historical figure. As for fabricating false scriptures or altering original texts, it is a common phenomenon in Buddhist history. From the perspective of Chan Buddhism, the Buddha's teachings are merely empty fists and yellow leaves used to deceive the ignorant—therefore, deception in morality is not prohibited, and it is also acceptable in doctrine. The Platform Sutra has been revised multiple times, proving that it does not entirely align with Huineng's actual thoughts, and the events recorded in it cannot be taken as reliable history. It reflects a certain trend of thought, a trend that has existed since the mid-Tang Dynasty and is worth studying.
The Plain Language Platform Sutra is one of the Buddhist Cultural Essence Series published by Sanqin Publishing House. The annotations of The Plain Language Platform Sutra are concise and closely tied to the original text, avoiding tedious, with the aim of aiding understanding of the classic. The author translates, annotates, and explains the Platform Sutra word by word, making it convenient for scholars and enthusiasts of Buddhist scriptures to read and collect.