Copyright (C) 2011 by Bruce Linnell.
Note that an accompanying PDF file correctly displays the English and
Chinese characters.
Inscription on the True Heart/Mind
Attributed to Sengcan, Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen Buddhism (ca 600 AD)
Translated by Bruce R. Linnell, PhD (2011)
A comment on the title : due to the nature of Chinese, the title couldmean any of the following : "Belief in (the) Mind", "The Believing Mind","Trust in (the) Mind", "Trusting Mind", "True Mind", "Truthful Mind","Faith in (the) Mind", or "Faithful Mind", and indeed many of these havebeen used by other translators (most often "Faith in Mind"). I chose"True Mind" because the entire inscription discusses how to get back tothe original Buddha nature we all have (but have forgotten), and thephrase "true mind" (in English, not the particular Chinese symbols in thetitle of the document) is often used synonymously with this Buddha nature,Buddha mind, True Nature, Original Nature, etc.
My goals were to include every Chinese symbol in the English sentence,using an exact translation of each symbol, and with minimal additionalwords and paraphrasing. This results in sentences which are sometimesstilted in English, but hopefully provides a more literal translation.Interpreted meanings are as close to the exact meaning as possible.Exceptions to these guidelines are marked with footnotes.
Definitions of Terms——————————Being : existenceEmptiness : negation of the belief in Being and non-BeingAwake, wise : enlightenedFoolish : not awake; unenlightenedHeart/mind : the Chinese symbol means both "heart" and "mind"; it seems misleading to use one or the otherSuchness : that which is constant and genuine; the true nature of things; reality-as-it-is; things just as they areThe Way, this wisdom : Buddha's way - the four noble truths, eightfold path, etc.Entanglements : sensory pleasures, preferences, desires, aversions, love, hate, etc. (literally "conditions")Naturally, spontaneously : done by itself, that which is so of itself, done on its own, happens without forcing itThings : the external world; objects, people, creatures, eventsCease to be, rejected, forgotten, eliminated, fade away : leave your awareness, no longer influence you
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Attaining the Way is not difficult,
If only you dislike picking and choosing.
Only when you do not "hate" and "love"
Will the Way thus be clearly and plainly revealed.
If there exists the smallest distinction,
Heaven and Earth become divided and out of balance.
If you want to have the Way appear in front of you,
Do not remain "agreeable" or "opposed" to anything.
When "disagreeable" and "agreeable" compete with each other,
This makes your heart/mind sick.
When you do not understand the deep and mysterious meaning of the Way,
It is useless to merely quiet your thoughts.
The Way is perfect and complete, just like the greatest void -
Nothing lacking, nothing extra.
It is precisely because you "select" and "reject"
That you therefore do not perceive the Suchness of everything.
Do not pursue Being and entanglements;
Do not dwell in Emptiness and sufferance.
When the mind is at peace in Oneness,
Thus are these eliminated, and naturally fade away.
When you try to stop activ