六祖大師法寶壇經 1.33

1.33

「祖復曰：『昔達磨大師，初來此土，人未之信，故傳此衣，以為信體，代代相承；法則以心傳心，皆令自悟自解。自古，佛佛惟傳本體，師師密付本心；衣為爭端，止汝勿傳。若傳此衣，命如懸絲。汝須速去，恐人害汝。』惠能啟曰：『向甚處去？』祖云：『逢懷則止，遇會則藏。』惠能三更領得衣鉢，云：『能本是南中人，素不知此山路，如何出得江口？』五祖言：『汝不須憂，吾自送汝。』祖相送，直至九江驛。祖令上船，五祖把艣自搖。惠能言：『請和尚坐。弟子合搖艣。』祖云：『合是吾渡汝。』惠能云：『迷時師度，悟了自度；度名雖一，用處不同。惠能生在邊方，語音不正，蒙師傳法，今已得悟，只合自性自度。』祖云：『如是，如是！以後佛法，由汝大行。汝去三年，吾方逝世。汝今好去，努力向南。不宜速說，佛法難起。』

"The Patriarch said further: 'Formerly, when the Great Master Bodhidharma first came to this land, people did not yet believe in him; therefore he transmitted this robe as an object of faith to be inherited from generation to generation. As for the Dharma, it is transmitted from mind to mind, all being made to awaken on their own and understand on their own. From ancient times, Buddhas have only transmitted the original essence, and masters have secretly passed down the original mind. The robe is an occasion for strife; let it end with you and do not transmit it. If you transmit this robe, your life will hang by a thread. You must leave quickly, lest someone harm you.' Huineng asked: 'Where should I go?' The Patriarch said: 'Stop when you come upon Huai; conceal yourself when you encounter Hui.' Huineng received the robe and bowl at the third watch, and said: 'I am originally a man from the south, completely unfamiliar with these mountain roads; how can I make my way to the mouth of the river?' The Fifth Patriarch said: 'You need not worry; I will see you off myself.' The Patriarch escorted him all the way to the Jiujiang postal station. The Patriarch told him to board the boat, and the Fifth Patriarch took the oar to row it himself. Huineng said: 'Please sit, Upādhyāya; it is fitting for the disciple to row the oar.' The Patriarch said: 'It is fitting that I ferry you across.' Huineng said: 'When deluded, the teacher ferries one; when awakened, one ferries oneself. Although the term "ferry" is the same, its use is different. Huineng was born in a borderland and my speech is improper; having received the transmission of the Dharma from the Master, now that I have attained awakening, it is only fitting that svabhāva ferries itself.' The Patriarch said: 'So it is, so it is! Henceforth the Buddhadharma will greatly prevail through you. Three years after you depart, I will pass away. Go well now, strive toward the south. It is not fitting to speak too soon; the Buddhadharma is difficult to raise up.'"