The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen: With Hui-neng's Commentary on the Diamond Sutra (Shambhala Dragon Editions)

Loved this book. I had a mentor in my meditation practice recommend this sutra and this translation. It was wonderful! I receive a sense of serenity whenever I crack open its pages and take a moment to ponder/accept the ideas. Want Zen? Congratulations! You've got it. You are doing it whether you are trying to/ not trying to/ wanting to/ avoiding to/ etc....what a relief. Be serene in the knowledge that you've already received what you have been striving or waiting on.But don't take my word for it! Read it for yourself.

Grand Master Hui-Neng stresses that Essential Nature has nothing to do with intellectual prowess, social status, or previous experience. Being an illiterate "Aborigine" (his words), his grasping (or non -grasping) of the Essential Mind had nothing to do with the written word, but instead, had all to do with the meaning. He expounds the Original One Mind in everyday, straight forward language. He is not speaking, or rather, dumbing down, what the essential experience of Zen is. In my opinion, this is an essential manual for the initial understanding in Zen, but as Grand Master Hui-Neng stresses, you must not become attached to the manual, but rely solely on your own intuitive mind.

This is the single most important Zen book you can get on Amazon. It contains the Platform Scripture (I think "Sutra" is not the right translation here of the Chinese word "jing" - Sutras are only spoken by the Buddha, and Hui-Neng wasn't a Buddha: according to Buddhist teaching, there is only ONE Buddha for world-system/age). It also contains the Diamond Sutra and Hui-Neng's commentary on it. Hui-Neng is the most important Chinese Zen Master (the sixth Patriarch), so whatever is said in this book DEFINES what Zen is. There's no Zen bible but this comes close.

I had my hesitation about buying Cleary's translation at first and in a few places my suspicions were upheld. As in his using "aborigine" instead of "barbarian," in the opening discussion where the 5th patriarch meets the 6th. He explained it fully in the footnotes at the end of the book. Aborigine looses much of the impact that Barbarian has, maybe a hat tip to today's political correctness? If we wished to update the language to today's reader, "hillbilly" would have been the more correct colloquial expression as a direct translation of "indigenous mountain dweller". Even that though is clumsy. All in all though he does a superlative job. I also recommend the following version  The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch  which is the one that was required for a Zen Buddhism class I had in college way back in the 80's. It is far better and well worth the extra price.

Hui-Neng's Platform Sutra is the most accessible of the Buddhist teachings. He speaks to the common man and woman. Explaining complex concepts in a straightforward manner. His commentary on the Diamond Sutra is a rare find. He offers deep insight to one of the most important Sutra. Cleary is to be commended for including it here.

Book in very good condition, well packed

In the world of Buddhism only the words of the Buddha and the life of Hui-neng are sutras. If thats not a good enough reason to get this then get it because Hui-Neng was a beautiful man and a great teacher. an illiterate woodcutter he became enlightened by just hearing a phrase from the Diamond sutra. he later worked in a monestary hidden away because the master knew if others knew of his great achievement they'd probally kill him but aventuallly he not only became the 6th patriarch but a great teacher and one of Zen's most beloved ancesters.

Really cool book. I've been getting a lot out of it. I read a lot of books on Buddhism, but I was able to get some really good insight from this one.

I’m happy

Great thanks

I am the same.

This is the best translation I have come across so far for the Hui Nen Sutra. The fact that this edition includes his commentary on the Diamond Sutra makes it even better.