The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen

Hui-neng (638–713) is perhaps the most beloved and respected figure in Zen Buddhism. An illiterate woodcutter who attained enlightenment in a flash, he became the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Zen, and is regarded as the founder of the “Sudden Enlightenment” school. He is the supreme exemplar of the fact that neither education nor social background has any bearing on the attainment of enlightenment. This collection of his talks, also known as the Platform or Altar Sutra, is the only Zen record of its kind to be generally honored with the appellation sutra, or scripture. The Sutra of Hui-neng is here accompanied by Hui-neng’s verse-by-verse commentary on the Diamond Sutra—in its very first published English translation ever.

The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen: With Hui-neng’s Commentary on the Diamond Sutra is written by Thomas Cleary and published by Shambhala (RHP). The Digital and eTextbook ISBNs for The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen are 9780834825413, 0834825414 and the print ISBNs are 9781570623486, 1570623481.