The Study 0f The Thought Of "No-mind" In The Platform Sutra

The status of the Platform Sutra is extremely important in the history of Chinese Buddhism.The thoughts of the Sixth Patriarch is concentrated in the Platform Sutra.The Platform Sutra establishes with no-mind as its doctrine,no-mark as its substance,and no-dwelling as its basis.And “no-mind” is the most important one among “Three No”.And it is the core thought of the Platform Sutra.Based on his unique heart-nature theory,Hui Neng define “no-mind” from the perspective of ontology,epistemology,methodology and realm theory.As a result,the traditional Zen dharma of focusing on external practice is turned inward.What's more,the practice is carried out on the mind.This event is called the “Sixth Patriarch revolution”.As the essence and soul thought of the Sixth Patriarch dharma,the thought of “no-mind” of The Platform Sutra has had a tremendous and far-reaching influence on Hui Neng's disciples.It is also of great significance for the mindfulness therapy of modern society.The paper mainly consists of four parts.First,the thought of “no-mind” traces from two civilization,which are Chinese Confucianism,Taoism and Buddhist classics.On the one hand,in the process of the sinicization of Buddhism,“no-mind” of the Platform Sutra absorbs the thought of “extreme Quiet”,“forgotten heart”from Taoism.And absorbs the thought of “pure heart theory”,“Moderation” from Confucianism.On the other hand,it has learned the thought of the Buddhist classics,such as the Diamond Sutra and the Awakening of Mahayana faith.Second,explaining the connotation of “no-mind” in the Platform Sutra.And analyzing its characteristics.First of all,Explaining the basis of Huineng's no-mind dharma.In his unique heart-nature theory,he equates the buddhist-nature,self-nature with no-mind.Then,explaining the five meanings of “no-mind” in detail.The “no-mind” dharma is the best dharma.It means to be without mind while in the midst of mind.Its meanings are mindfulness,no opposite mind,and all Buddha realms.At last,analysing the characteristics of “no-mind”.That is self-awaken on mind,non-dual,epiphany and no stagnation.Third,explaining the Sixth Patriarch dharma in detail from the perspective of “no-mind”.The relationship between “no-mind” and the Sixth Patriarch dharma,which include no-mark,nodwelling,prajna,merit and virtue,pure land,concentration and wisdom,sitting in Ch'an,Samadhi,religious discipline without marks,and epiphany,etc,is like oneness and many,or essence and phenomenon.Thus,the essence of the Sixth Patriarch dharma is the “no-mind”dharma.Fourth,explaining the historical influence of “no-mind” in the Platform Sutra and its reference to modern mindfulness therapy.After Hui Neng's “no-mind”,Shenhui of Heze school establishes with no-mind as its doctrine,jnana dardana no-mind;Daoyi of Hongzhou school advocates “usual heart is the buddhist-nature”.Xiqian of the stone school puts forward“the thing you see everywhere is the buddhist-nature”.In addition,the thought of “no-mind”in the Platform Sutra is still of great significance in modern society,especially for modern mindfulness therapy.Compared to the “mindfulness” of modern society,the “no-mind”highlights its Superiority.The “no-mind” dharma comprises ideas and methods.It is undefiled by attachment to all dharmas internal or external.And its goal is realization of the Buddha.Therefore,it deserves the reference of modern mindfulness therapy.