宗鏡錄 9.3

9.3

Answer: If one does not comprehend the source of the mind, all becomes delusion and inversion; wherever one turns, obstacles arise, and there is no gate through which to realize entry. Just as in conventional truth there are also secret methods, where without obtaining the essential formula study will achieve nothing, whereas if one finds their gateway, whatever one undertakes will succeed. Now the teachings of the vehicles speak of secret teachings, while the Chan school puts forward a transmission outside scriptures—then along which path would one advance in cultivation, and through which gate would one enter? If one does not obtain the essential formula of mind-only, right faith can in no way be established. Yet as soon as one attains this source, thousands of gates open spontaneously; the Way is revealed immediately without need of seeking, and practice is rounded off naturally without relying on cultivation. It is like the earth encountering sunny spring, when sprouts burst forth in abundance. Thus it is said: 'Without the wisdom of contemplation, undertakings will not succeed.' Furthermore, this mind can accomplish everything and can destroy everything. When it accomplishes, it immediately accomplishes the natural, spontaneous Buddha. Hence Great Master Zhenjue sang: 'Therefore the gate of Chan clarifies the mind / And suddenly enters the power of the gentle forbearance of the unproduced.' Through this single gate of the unproduced, when one is accomplished, all are accomplished, extending even to the three bodies, the four wisdoms, the eight liberations, the six supernormal powers, the undefiled, the unconditioned, and the myriad practices of Samantabhadra—all are simultaneously perfected within the unproduced. Thus it is said: 'On first hearing the gate of the syllable A, one immediately understands all meanings'—namely, that all dharmas are unproduced. But when it destroys, it gradually destroys the gates of conditioned and unconditioned virtues. Hence the song says: 'Depleting Dharma-wealth and destroying merit / All stem from nothing other than mind, intellect, and consciousness.' Therefore know that this mind illuminates all subtleties without exception; whatever dharma exists, it knows. It scrutinizes the hidden and guards against the minute, fathoming the present and penetrating antiquity; hence it is called the 'Numinous Terrace.' Thus Sima Biao says: 'The mind is the terrace of the spirit.' Zhuangzi says: 'The myriad evils must not be admitted into the Numinous Terrace.'