CHAPTER Ⅰ
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
CHAPTER Ⅱ
ON PRAJNA
CHAPTER Ⅲ
CHAPTER Ⅳ
SAMADHI AND PRAJNA
CHAPTER Ⅴ
CHAPTER Ⅵ
ON REPENTANCE
CHAPTER Ⅶ
PERAMENT AND CIRCUMSTANCES
CHAPTER Ⅷ
THE SUDDEN SCHOOL AND
THE GRADUAL SCHOOL
CHAPTER Ⅸ
ROYAL PATRONAGE
CHAPTER Ⅹ
HIS FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
APPENDIX
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7.21 One day Zhi Chang asked the Patriarch, "Buddha taught the doctrine of 'Three Vehicles' and also that of a 'Supreme Vehicle.'I don't understand this, will you please explain?"
The Patriarch replied, "You should perceive your own original mind and not attach to outside form.The distinction of these four vehicles does not exist in the Dharma itself, but only in the differentiations of people's minds.To see, hear and recite the Sutra is the Small Vehicle.To know the Dharma and understand its meaning is the Middle Vehicle.To put the Dharma into actual practice is the Great Vehicle.The Supreme Vehicle means to comprehend all Dharmas thoroughly everything is complete, don't be tainted by anything or attached to form.There is nothing to attain."
"The word 'Yana' means vehicle which implies 'putting into practice', argument on this point is quite unnecessary, Everything depends on self—practice, so you need not ask me anymore.True Nature is always in a state of'Thusness.'"
Zhi Chang bowed and thanked the Patriarch.After this, he attended on the Master until his death.
7.22 Bhikkhu Zhi Dao, a native of Nanhai of Guangdong, came to the Patriarch for instruction and said, "Since I joined the Order I have read the Maha Parinirvana Sutra for more than ten years, but I have yet to grasp its essential meaning.Will you please teach me?"