[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [人天眼目](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006~en-mt) › 2.154 # 人天眼目 2.154 English (machine translation) 2.154 - **Language:** English ### [2.154](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006~en-mt.2.154) Nantang addressed the assembly, saying: "The ultimate essential in practicing and studying does not go beyond the initial and the final phrases. For one who penetrates through them, the matter of a lifetime is finished. If perhaps this is not yet so, I shall further divide them into ten gates for you, each to be used to seal and verify your own mind, to see whether you have attained stability or not: First, you must believe that there is a separate transmission outside the teachings. Second, you must know that there is a separate transmission outside the teachings. Third, you must understand that insentient beings expounding the Dharma and sentient beings expounding the Dharma are not two. Fourth, you must see the nature as if looking at the palm of your hand, completely distinct and clear, each and every ground secure and secret. Fifth, you must possess the eye that selects phenomena. Sixth, you must travel the bird's path and dark road. Seventh, you must balance both the civil and the martial. Eighth, you must crush the heterodox and manifest the orthodox. Ninth, you must have great dynamic function and great capability. Tenth, you must walk among different species. In these ten gates, have you all attained stability in each and every one, or not? If you are merely working behind closed doors, settling only your own self, you are not within this limit. If you wish to shoulder the orthodox lineage and carry on the sacred lineage, you must fulfill these ten gates of the essential guidelines; only then can you sit upon the curved wooden chair, be worthy of the prostrations of all people under heaven, and be a teacher to buddhas and patriarchs. If you have not arrived at such a ground, being consistently hollow and pretentious, then on another day, Old Yama will not let you off! Is there anyone? Let everyone come forward to bear witness. If not, there is no need to stand for long." - [Previous: 2.153](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006~en-mt.2.153) - [Next: 2.155](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006~en-mt.2.155) - [Up: 2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006~en-mt.2) ## Linked texts (1) - [人天眼目](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006.2.154) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006~en-mt.2.154](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2006~en-mt.2.154) · Pramāṇa