六祖大師法寶壇經 1.33

1.33

"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.'"