緣其人中有愚有智，愚為小人，智為大人。 愚者問於智人，智者與愚人說法。愚人忽然 悟解心開，即與智人無別。
善知識！不悟，即佛是眾生；一念悟時，眾 生是佛。故知萬法盡在自心，何不從自心中 頓見真如本性？《菩薩戒經》云：『我本元 自性清淨，若識自心見性，皆成佛道。』 《淨名經》云：『即時豁然，還得本心。』
善知識！我於忍和尚處一聞，言下便悟，頓 見真如本性。是以將此教法流行，令學道者 頓悟菩提，各自觀心，自見本性。
若自不悟，須覓大善知識，解最上乘法者， 直示正路。是善知識有大因緣，所謂化導令 得見性，一切善法因善知識能發起故。
Yet, some people are wise and some are ignorant. The ignorant are considered inferior and the wise superior. When the ignorant question the wise, the wise teach them the Dharma. When the ignorant suddenly awaken and are open to true understanding, they will be no different than the wise.
Noble friends, without enlightenment, buddhas are just sentient beings; the moment the mind is enlightened, sentient beings are buddhas. Therefore you should know that all dharmas are intrinsic to the mind. Why not immediately realize in your own mind the intrinsic nature of suchness? The Bodhisattva Sila Sutra says, “Our inherent nature is originally pure. If you realize your mind and see its true nature, you will attain Buddhahood.” The Vimalakirti Sutra says, “Suddenly, seeing everything clearly, you return to your original mind.”
Noble friends, when the Fifth Patriarch spoke to me in his quarters, I immediately attained enlightenment, realizing the true nature of suchness. Therefore, I pass down this teaching so that cultivators can attain sudden enlightenment. By contemplating their own mind, everyone can realize their intrinsic nature.
Should you fail to enlighten yourself, you must seek out great masters who understand this supreme doctrine; they can directly show you the right path. These masters are here for a great cause, that is, they will guide you toward the realization of your true nature; all wholesome dharmas arise because of them.
