Translated by the Chung Tai Translation Committee October 2009 From the Chinese by The Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng, 8th Century The following prior English translations were used as references: “The Sixth Patriarch’s Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra” by The Buddhist Text Translation Society, “The Platform Scripture” by Wing-tsit Chan, “The Sutra of Hui-Neng Grand Master of Zen” by Thomas Cleary, “The Altar Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch” by Charles Luk, “The Platform Sutra the Zen Teaching of Hui-Neng” by Red Pine, and “Sutra Spoken by the Sixth Patriarch on the High Seat of the Treasure of the Law” by Wong Mou-Lam. The Chung Tai Translation Committee comprises of Dharma Masters and lay disciples and convenes regularly. To view or download other sutra translations by CTTC, visit “Dharma Gems” on http://sunnyvale.ctzen.org. Comments and suggestions may be sent to translation@ctzen.org
Sutra Opening Verse
The Dharma, infinitely profound and subtle,
Is rarely encountered even in a million kalpas.
Now we are able to hear, study, and follow it,
May we fully realize the Tathagata’s true meaning.
開 經 偈
無 上 甚 深 微 妙 法
百 千 萬 劫 難 遭 遇
我 今 見 聞 得 受 持
願 解 如 來 真 實 義
六祖壇經
般若品第二
次日，韋使君請益，師陞座，告大眾曰： 「總淨心念摩訶般若波羅蜜多。」復云： 「善知識！菩提般若之智，世人本自有之， 只緣心迷，不能自悟，須假大善知識示導見 性！當知愚人智人，佛性本無差別，只緣迷 悟不同，所以有愚有智。吾今為說摩訶般若 波羅蜜法，使汝等各得智慧。志心諦聽！吾 為汝說：
善知識！世人終日口念般若，不識自性般 若，猶如說食不飽。口但說空，萬劫不得見 性，終無有益。善知識！摩訶般若波羅蜜是 梵語，此言大智慧到彼岸。此須心行，不在 口念。口念心不行，如幻如化，如露如電； 口念心行，則心口相應。本性是佛，離性無 別佛。
THE PLATFORM SUTRA OF THE SIXTH PATRIARCH HUI NENG
CHAPTER II PRAJNA
On the following day, upon Governor Wei’s request, the Master took his seat and addressed the assembly, “Let us purify our thoughts and mindfully recite Maha-prajnaparamita.” Then he said: Noble friends, prajna, the wisdom of enlightenment, is inherent in all people of the world. Only because their minds are deluded, they fail to realize it themselves. Therefore, they need the guidance of great masters to see their true nature. Know that Buddha nature is no different in the wise and in the ignorant. What separates them is whether one is enlightened or deluded. I will now teach the maha-prajna-paramita so that each of you may attain wisdom. Listen attentively! I will explain it to you.
Noble friends, people speak of prajna all day, yet they do not recognize the prajna inherent in their nature. Just as talking about food cannot appease your hunger, talking about emptiness for countless kalpas will not reveal your true nature; ultimately it is of no benefit. Noble friends, maha-prajna-paramita is a Sanskrit term meaning “the great wisdom leading to the other shore.” It must be practiced from the mind and not merely spoken of. Prajna, only spoken of but not practiced, is like an illusion, a mirage, a dewdrop, or lightning. By doing both, our speech and mind are in mutual accord. Our original nature is Buddha, apart from this nature there is no other Buddha.
