宗鏡錄 3.5

3.5

Answer: Internally realizing the ultimate meaning and principle of one's own mind, abiding on the stage of self-realization, and entering the portal of noble wisdom—corresponding with this is called the characteristic of penetrating the source. This is at the time of practice, not at the time of understanding. Relying on understanding, practice is accomplished; when practice is accomplished, understanding terminates. Then the path of speech is cut off, and the place of mental activity is extinguished. As the Laṅkāvatārasūtra says: 'The Buddha told Mahāmati: "As for penetrating the source, it means relying on the characteristic of self-attained superior progress, leaving far behind the false thoughts of speech and letters, proceeding to the self-characteristic of the stage of self-realization of the outflow-free realm, leaving far behind all deceptive perceptions and thoughts, subduing all outsiders and legions of Māras, and having the radiance blaze forth relying on the course of self-realization. This is called the characteristic of penetrating the source."' Therefore, awakening to the mind and becoming a patriarch has been transmitted from past sages. Hence Great Master Bodhidharma said: 'Understanding the Buddha's mind-source without an inch of error in awakening, and with practice and understanding in mutual accord—this is called a patriarch.' A verse also says: 'Neither seeing evil and giving rise to resentment, / Nor observing good and diligently applying oneself; / Neither abandoning foolishness to draw near the worthy, / Nor discarding delusion to approach awakening; / Comprehending the Great Way, one transcends measure; / Penetrating the Buddha's mind, one exceeds limits; / Not sharing the path of ordinary people or sages— / Supremely transcendent, this is called a patriarch.'