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Sixth Patriarch Talks

Dajian Huineng or Hui-neng (traditional Chinese: 大鑒惠能; pinyin: Dàjiàn Huìnéng; Cantonese Jyutping: daai6 gaam3 wai6 nang4; Wade–Giles: Ta⁴-chien⁴ Hui⁴-nêng²; Japanese: Daikan Enō; Korean: Daegam Hyeneung; February 27, 638 – August 28, 713), also commonly known as the Sixth Patriarch or Sixth Ancestor of Chan (traditional Chinese: 禪宗六祖), is a semi-legendary but central figure in the early history of Chinese Chan Buddhism.
According to tradition Huineng was an uneducated layman who suddenly attained awakening (Chinese: 見性, jianxing) upon hearing the Diamond Sutra. Despite his lack of formal training, he demonstrated his understanding to the fifth patriarch, Daman Hongren, who then supposedly chose Huineng as his true successor instead of his publicly known selection of Yuquan Shenxiu. Huineng is regarded as the founder of the "Sudden Enlightenment" Southern Chan school of Buddhism, which focuses on an immediate and direct attainment of Buddhist enlightenment. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (六祖壇經), which is said to be a record of his teachings, is a highly influential text in the East Asian Buddhist tradition.
20th century scholarship revealed that the story of Huineng's Buddhist career was likely invented by the monk Shenhui, who claimed to be one of Huineng's disciples and was highly critical of Shenxiu's teaching.
Title | Speaker | |
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Yaoshan's Path to Zen Awakening Sixth Patriarch, Delusion, Enlightenment |
Aug 1997 |
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Sesshin Day 5 Dragons, Practice Period, Discrimination, Sixth Patriarch, Composure |
Dec 15 1994 Tassajara |
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Sesshin Day 3 Dharma TalkVasubandhu, Practice Period, Enemies, confusion, Sixth Patriarch, War |
Nov 22 1994 Tassajara |
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43rd Pioneer & 7th Precept Ego, Sixth Patriarch, Practice Period, Perfect Wisdom |
Apr 02 1992 1 of 2 Tassajara |
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3rd Precept: No Sexual Greed Buddha Nature, Three Treasures, Lotus Sutra, Sixth Patriarch |
Mar 28 1992 Tassajara |
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3rd Precept: No Sexual Greed Buddha Nature, Sixth Patriarch, Lotus Sutra, Three Treasures |
Mar 28 1992 Tassajara |
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Sesshin Day 2 - the 3 Triple Treasures Three Treasures, Suzuki Roshi, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Sixth Patriarch... |
Jan 31 1992 Tassajara |
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Unsupported Thought: The Zen Awakening Patience, Pain, Sixth Patriarch |
Dec 20 1991 |
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Surrendering to Compassionate Enlightenment Sixth Patriarch, Delusion, Enlightenment |
Aug 22 1991 |
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Settle, Bloom, Meet in Zen Time, Sixth Patriarch, Intention |
Jul 15 1991 |
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Zen Whispers: Echoes of Enlightenment Time, Sixth Patriarch, Samadhi |
Jul 08 1991 |
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Zen Threads: Enlightenment Through Lineage Sixth Patriarch, Zazen, Time |
Jun 23 1991 |
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Mindful Emptiness in Zen Practice Sixth Patriarch, Mahayana, Cultivation, Conversation, Transmission |
Mar 20 1987 |
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Zen's Path: From Delusion to Enlightenment Doubt, Buddha Nature, Breath, Sixth Patriarch |
Mar 15 1987 |