‘A foolish passing thought makes one an ordinary man, while an enlightened second thought makes one a Buddha. A passing thought that clings to sense-objects is Klesa, while a second thought that frees one from attachment is Bodhi.’
Hui Neng
Hui Neng
Morning meditation — Prajna comes from the Essence of Mind and not from an exterior source.
‘Learned Audience, all Prajna comes from the Essence of Mind and not from an exterior source. Have no mistaken notion about that. This is called ‘Self-use of the True Nature’. Once the Tathata (Suchness) is known, one will be free from delusion forever.’
Hui Neng
Morning meditation — When we see the goodness or the badness of other people.
‘When we see the goodness or the badness of other people we are not attracted by it, nor repelled by it, nor attached to it; so that our attitude of mind is as void as space. In this way, we say our mind is great.’
Hui Neng
Morning meditation — For those who do not know their own mind.
‘When you hear me talk about the Void, do not at once fall into the idea of vacuity. It is of the utmost importance that we should not fall into this idea, because when a man sits quietly and keeps his mind blank he will abide in a state of ‘‘Voidness of Indifference’’.’
Hui Neng
Morning meditation — When you hear me talk about the Void.
‘When you hear me talk about the Void, do not at once fall into the idea of vacuity. It is of the utmost importance that we should not fall into this idea, because when a man sits quietly and keeps his mind blank he will abide in a state of ‘‘Voidness of Indifference’’.’
Hui Neng
Morning meditation — But mere talking on food will not appease hunger.
‘Learned Audience, those who recite the word ‘Prajna’ the whole day long do not seem to know that Prajna is inherent in their own nature. But mere talking on food will not appease hunger, and this is exactly the case with these people.’
Hui Neng
Morning meditation — Our very nature is Buddha.
‘Our very nature is Buddha, and apart from this nature there is no other Buddha.’
Hui Neng
Morning meditation — You should know that so far as Buddha-nature is concerned.
‘You should know that so far as Buddha-nature is concerned, there is no difference between an enlightened man and an ignorant one. What makes the difference is that one realises it, while the other is ignorant of it.’
Hui Neng
Buddhism now 