Platform Sutra
(The Sutra of the 6th Patriarch, Hui Neng)
Chapter 8 – The Sudden School and the Gradual School
Platform Sutra
(The Sutra of the 6th Patriarch, Hui Neng)
Chapter 8 – The Sudden School and the Gradual School
Last update: December 18, 2025
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Source: https://www.wisdomlib.org/buddhism/book/the-6th-patriarch-platform-sutra
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(Reality as it is is indescriptible, inconceivable, non-dual, non-conceptual in the non-dual sense: all dharmas are not many/‘this’, not one/‘non-this’, not both, not neither; not caused/produced/gradual, not uncaused/non-produced/sudden, not both, not neither. Pointing to describing without describing, conceiving without conceiving, differentiating without differentiating, conceptualising without conceptualising, acting without acting, thinking without thinking, practicing without practicing, progressing without progressing — never acting in absolute terms, never with grasping at anything; acting without attachment, reification, effort or absolutes; without apprehending anything in absolute terms; non-dualistically, without opposing anything in absolute terms; without accepting/rejecting/changing anything in absolute terms; thus acting more and more in accord with the Middle Way free from all extremes and middle, and acting more and more with reality as it is (tathātā, suchness) as pointed out by the Unions.)
ANALYSIS:
(Overview of Chapter 8: The Sudden School and the Gradual School
Chapter 8 of the Platform Sutra addresses the apparent rivalry between Huineng's Southern (Sudden) School and Shen Hsiu's Northern (Gradual) School, using historical context and a dialogue with Shen Hsiu's disciple Chi Ch'eng to affirm the non-dual unity of the Dharma. Huineng dissolves sectarian distinctions, critiquing literal interpretations and emphasizing that differences arise from mental dispositions, not the Dharma itself. Through stanzas and explanations of Sila (precepts), Dhyana (meditation), and Prajna (wisdom), the chapter teaches that true practice transcends gradual/ sudden labels, focusing on the Essence of Mind's innate purity and freedom. It concludes with Huineng's compassionate address to doubters, urging immediate realization. The chapter subtly reconciles schools while prioritizing the Sudden approach as direct insight, free from attachments.
A. Essential Teachings
The teachings are structured per the provided sections, extracting core messages from the text:
[Non-duality of the Dharma, of Reality as it is: As the Dharma is concerned, there can be only one School]:
The Dharma is singular and non-dual; distinctions like "Sudden" (South) and "Gradual" (North) arise from human factors (e.g., regional origins or mental quickness), not inherent divisions: "So far as the Dharma is concerned, there can be only one School... the distinction of 'Sudden' and 'Gradual' does not exist." Realization varies by disposition — quick for some, slower for others — but the essence remains unified.
[Practice without practicing, in accord with the fact that all Nirmanakayas [M] are one with the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) [G] [UGM-in-action]: not many, not one, not both, not neither.]:
True practice embodies non-dual freedom: respond to circumstances without attachment / acceptation / rejection, as "coming" and "going" are phases of Samadhi. All Nirmanakayas (transformations/manifestations) unite with the Essence, enabling liberation and powers for salvation. Dispense with systems when liberated: "Why should we formulate any system of Dharma when our goal can be reached no matter whether we turn to the right or to the left?" Practice is instantaneous, based on Essence's function.
[Opposites like eternal and non-eternal are adapted skillful means, never absolute: Reality as it is, the true nature of all phenomena/dharmas and opposites in any duality/triad/quad, is beyond all extremes and middle, like (i) permanence / continuity / eternity / ‘this’, (ii) impermanence / discontinuity / annihilation / ‘non-this’, (iii) both, (iv) neither [Tetralemma], and there is no fifth; to grasp at any of those extreme positions leads to contradictions, absurdities ⇐⇒ so everything is empty of inherent existence, never absolute [T2] ⇐⇒ because everything is dependently co-arisen, interdependent, co-defined, co-evolving, co-imputed by the mind, mere designations/names, conventional truths/tools [T1] ⇐⇒ and vice versa, one truth supports/implies the other [U2T] ⇐⇒ meaning everything is like illusions, reflections, mirages, dreams, echos, ‘there, yet not there’ [Illusory] ⇐⇒ pointing to the Middle Way free from all extremes (‘this’, ‘non-this’) and middle (both, neither, for whatever ‘this’ is) with nothing to accept/seek/change in absolute terms, just conventionally, relatively. Where ‘⇐⇒’ and ‘union’ means one side implies the other.]:
Opposites like eternal/non-eternal are provisional teachings (skillful means) for refuting heresies, not absolute: Huineng's Sila/Dhyana/Prajna (freeing from impurity/disturbance; neither increasing/decreasing) transcend Shen Hsiu's (refraining evil, practicing good, purifying mind). Reality (Essence) is beyond tetralemma — empty [T2] yet dependently arisen [T1], illusory yet functional [U2T] — avoiding contradictions of grasping extremes.
[Do not reify the ‘Essence of Mind’: The true nature of reality, called ‘Essence of Mind’ (tathātā, suchness), is beyond all conditioned dualistic conceptual proliferations, beyond all conventional truths, methods, goals, designations/names, concepts, dualities, triads, quads — without rejecting their conventional relative usefulness. So we perceive/use the ‘Essence of Mind’, but without perceiving/using it in absolute terms, without apprehending anything in absolute terms, without opposing anything in absolute terms, without accepting/rejecting anything in absolute terms; thus more and more in accord with the Middle Way and with reality as it is.]:
Do not reify the Essence as a fixed "system" — it's nameless, formless: "To use a name which is nothing but a makeshift." Realized ones formulate/dispense systems freely, at liberty to "come/go," responding temperamentally without obstacles. Essence is Thusness — beyond conditioned proliferations, yet useful conventionally without absolute grasping.
B. Subtle Points
The chapter weaves critiques of rivalry with unifying wisdom, subtly affirming the Sudden School:
Dissolving Sectarianism:
Subtly critiques Northern followers' jealousy and discrediting (e.g., Huineng's illiteracy), while praising Shen Hsiu's humility — unity over division.
Skillful Means in Dialogue:
Chi Ch'eng's "spy" role turns instructive; Huineng's stanzas subtly contrast schools without denigration, showing Sudden as supreme yet inclusive.
Paradoxical Non-Duality:
"Straight sword not crooked" stanza subtly mocks rigid purity; true practice engages without binding, embodying [UGM-in-action] — not one/many.
Middle Way Free from Extremes:
Eternal/non-eternal as upaya subtly points to [U2T] — opposites illusory, empty yet co-arisen, avoiding tetralemma absurdities without rejection.
Beyond Reification:
Final address subtly urges non-grasping: even "non-dual nature" is a makeshift — perceive/use Essence without absolute apprehension, aligning with reality.
Compassionate Adaptation:
Addressing bad-faith questioners subtly shows inclusivity: realize Essence upon hearing, transcending doubts through non-dual insight.
C. This chapter subtly unifies schools as mental constructs, guiding to non-reified realization of Thusness beyond labels.)
TEXT:
While the Patriarch was living in Pao Lin Monastery, the Grand Master Shen Hsiu was preaching in Yu Chuan Monastery of Ching Nan. At that time the two Schools, that of Hui Neng of the South and Shen Hsiu of the North, flourished side by side.
As the two Schools were distinguished from each other by the names "Sudden" (the South) and "Gradual" (the North), the question which sect they should follow baffled certain Buddhist scholars (of that time). (Seeing this), the Patriarch addressed the assembly as follows:
"So far as the Dharma is concerned, there can be only one School. (If a distinction exists) it exists in the fact that the founder of one school is a northern man, while the other is a Southerner. While there is only one Dharma (one reality), some disciples realize it more quickly than others. The reason why the names 'Sudden' and 'Gradual' are given is that some disciples are superior to others in mental dispositions. So far as the Dharma is concerned, the distinction of 'Sudden' and 'Gradual' does not exist."
(In spite of what the Patriarch had said,) the followers of Shen Hsiu used to criticize the Patriarch. They discredited him by saying that as he was illiterate he could not distinguish himself in any respect.
Shen Hsiu himself, on the other hand, admitted that he was inferior to the Patriarch, that the Patriarch attained wisdom without the aid of a teacher, and that he understood thoroughly the teaching of the Mahayana School.
"Moreover," he added, "my teacher, the Fifth Patriarch, would not have transmitted to him the robe and the bowl without good cause. I regret that, owing to the patronage of the state, which I by no means deserve, I am unable to travel far to receive instructions from him personally. (But) you men should go to Ts'ao Ch'i to consult him."
One day he said to his disciple, Chi Ch'eng,
"You are intelligent and bright. On my behalf, you may go to Ts'ao Ch'i to attend the lectures there. Try your best to remember what you learn, so that upon your return you may repeat it to me."
Acting on his teacher's instruction, Chi Ch'eng went to Ts'ao Ch'i. Without telling whence he came he joined the crowd there to call on the Patriarch.
"Someone has hidden himself here to plagiarize my lecture," said the Patriarch to the assembly.
Thereupon, Chi Ch'eng came out, made obeisance, and told the Patriarch what his mission was.
"You come from Yu Ch'uan Monastery, do you?" asked the Patriarch. "You must be a spy."
"No, I am not," replied Chi Ch'eng.
"Why not?" asked the Patriarch.
"If I had not told you," said Chi Ch'eng, "I would be a spy. Since I have told you all about it, I am not."
"How does your teacher instruct his disciples?" asked the Patriarch.
"He tells us to meditate on purity,
to keep up the sitting position all the time
and not to lie down," replied Chi Ch'eng.
"To meditate on purity," said the Patriarch, "is an infirmity and not Dhyana.
To restrict oneself to the sitting position all the time is unprofitable.
Listen to my stanza:
A living man sits and does not lie down (all the time),
While a dead man lies down and does not sit.
On this physical body of ours
Why should we impose the task of sitting?"
Making obeisance a second time, Chi Ch'eng remarked,
"Though I have studied Buddhism for nine years under the Grand Master Shen Hsiu, my mind has not yet been awakened for enlightenment. But as soon as you speak to me my mind is enlightened. As the question of incessant rebirths is a momentous one, please take pity on me and give me further instruction."
"I understand," said the Patriarch,
"that your teacher gives his disciples instructions
on Sila (disciplinary rules), Dhyana (meditation), and Prajna (Wisdom).
Please tell me how he defines these terms."
"According to his teaching," replied Chi Ch'eng,
"to refrain from all evil actions is Sila,
to practice whatever is good is Prajna,
and to purify one's own mind is Dhyana.
This is the way he teaches us.
May I know your system?"
"If I tell you," said the Patriarch, "that I have a system of Dharma to transmit to others, I am cheating you. What I do to my disciples is to liberate them from their own bondage with such devices as the case may need. To use a name which is nothing but a makeshift, this (state of liberation) may be called Samadhi.
The way your master teaches Sila, Dhyana, and Prajna is wonderful; but my exposition is different."
"How can it be different, Sir," asked Chi Ch'eng,
"when there is only one form of Sila, Dhyana and Prajna?"
"The teaching of your master," replied the Patriarch, "is for the followers of the Mahayana School, while mine is for those of the Supreme School. The fact that some realize the Dharma more quickly and deeply than others accounts for the difference in the interpretation. You may listen, and see if my instruction is the same as his.
In expounding the Dharma, I do not deviate from the authority of the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness). To speak otherwise would indicate that the speaker's Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) is under obscuration and that he can touch the phenomenal side of the Dharma only.
The true teaching of Sila, Dhyana and Prajna
should be based on the principle that
the function of all things derives from
the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness).
Listen to my stanza:
To free the mind from all impurity is the Sila of the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness).
To free the mind from all disturbance is the Dhyana of the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness).
*****************************************************
That which neither increases nor decreases
is the Diamond (used as a symbol
for the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness));
'Coming' and 'going' are different phases of Samadhi."
*****************************************************
Having heard this, Chi Ch'eng apologized (for having asked a foolish question) and thanked the Patriarch for his instruction. He then submitted the following stanza:
The 'self' is nothing but a phantasm created by the Union of five skandhas,
And a phantasm can have nothing to do with absolute reality.
To hold that there is a Tathātā (Suchness) for us to aim at or to return to
Is another example of 'Impure Dharma'.
Approving what he said in his stanza, the Patriarch said to him again,
"The teaching of your master on Sila, Dhyana and Prajna applies to wise men of the inferior type, while mine [applies] to those of the superior type. He who realizes the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) may dispense with such doctrines as Bodhi, Nirvana, and 'Knowledge of Emancipation'. Only those who do not possess a single system of Dharma can formulate all systems of Dharma, and only those who can understand the meaning (of this paradox) may use such terms.
It makes no difference to those who have realized the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) whether they formulate all systems of Dharma or dispense with all of them. They are at liberty to 'come' or to 'go'. They are free from obstacles or impediments. They take appropriate actions as circumstances require. They give suitable answers according to the temperament of the enquirer. They see that all Nirmanakayas are one with the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) [UGM]. They attain liberation, psychic powers and Samadhi, which enable them to perform the arduous task of universal salvation as easily as if they were only playing. Such are the men who have realized the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness)!"
"By what principle are we guided in dispensing with all systems of Dharma?" was Chi Ch'eng's next question.
"When our Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) is free from impurity, infatuations and disturbances," replied the Patriarch, "when we introspect our mind from moment to moment with Prajna, and when we do not cling to things and phenomenal objects we are free and liberated.
Why should we formulate any system of Dharma when our goal can be reached no matter whether we turn to the right or to the left? Since it is with our own efforts that we realize the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness), and since the realization and the practice of the Dharma are both done instantaneously/spontaneously, and not gradually or stage by stage, the formulation of any system of Dharma is unnecessary. As all Dharmas are intrinsically Nirvanic, how can there be gradation in them?"
Chi Ch'eng made obeisance and volunteered to be an attendant of the Patriarch. In that capacity, he served both day and night.
Bhikkhu Chih Ch'e, whose secular name was Chang Hsing-Ch'ang, was a native of Kiangsi. As a young man, he was fond of chivalric exploits. Since the two Dhyana Schools, Hui Neng of the South and Shen Hsiu of the North, flourished side by side, a strong sectarian feeling ran high on the part of the disciples, in spite of the tolerant spirit shown by the two masters.
As they called their own teacher, Shen Hsiu, the Sixth Patriarch on no better authority than their own, the followers of the Northern School were jealous of the rightful owner of that title whose claim, supported by the inherited robe, was too well known to be ignored. (So in order to get rid of the rival teacher) they sent Chang Hsing-Ch'ang (who was then a layman) to murder the Patriarch.
With his psychic power of mind-reading the Patriarch was able to know of the plot beforehand. (Making ready for the coming of the murderer), he put ten taels by the side of his own seat. Chang duly arrived, and one evening entered the Patriarch's room to carry out the murder. With outstretched neck the Patriarch waited for the fatal blow. Thrice did Chang cut, (but) not a single wound was thereby inflicted! The Patriarch then addressed him as follows:
A straight sword is not crooked,
While a crooked one is not straight.
I owe you money only;
But life I do not owe."
The surprise was too great for Chang; he fell into a swoon and did not revive for a considerable time. Remorseful and penitent, he asked for mercy and volunteered to join the Sangha at once. Handing him the money, the Patriarch said, "You had better not remain here, lest my followers should do you harm.
Come to see me in disguise some other time, and I will take good care of you." As directed, Chang ran away the same night. Subsequently, he joined the Sangha and, when fully ordained, proved himself to be a very diligent monk.
.
One day, recollecting what the Patriarch has said, he took the long journey to see him and to tender him homage.
"Why do you come so late?" asked the Patriarch.
"I have been thinking of you all the time." "Since that day you so graciously pardoned my crime," said Chang, "I have become a bhikkhu and have studied Buddhism diligently. Yet I find it difficult to requite you adequately unless I can show my gratitude by spreading the Dharma for the deliverance of sentient beings. In studying the Maha Parinirvana Sutra, which I read very often, I cannot understand the meaning of 'eternal' and 'not eternal'. Will you, Sir, kindly give me a short explanation."
"What is not eternal is the Buddha-nature," replied the Patriarch,
"and what is eternal is the discriminating mind
together with all meritorious and demeritorious Dharmas."
"Your explanation, Sir, contradicts the Sutra," said Chang.
"I dare not, since I inherit the 'Heart-Seal' of Lord Buddha," replied the Patriarch.
"According to the Sutra," said Chang, "the Buddha-nature is eternal,
while all meritorious and demeritorious Dharmas, including the Bodhi-citta (the Wisdom-heart) are not eternal.
As you hold otherwise, is this not a contradiction? Your explanation has now intensified my doubts and perplexities."
"On one occasion," replied the Patriarch, "I had Bhikkhuni Wu Ching-Ts'ang recite to me the whole book of the Maha Parinirvana Sutra, so that I could explain it to her. Every word and every meaning I explained on that occasion agreed with the text. As to the explanation I give you now, it likewise differs not from the text."
"As my capacity for understanding is a poor one," observed Chang, "will you kindly explain to me more fully and more clearly."
"Don't you understand?" said the Patriarch.
"If Buddha-nature is eternal, it would be of no use to talk about meritorious and demeritorious Dharmas; and until the end of a kalpa no one would arouse the Bodhicitta.Therefore, when I say 'not-eternal' it is exactly what Lord Buddha meant for 'eternal'.
Again, if all Dharmas are not-eternal, then every thing or object would have a nature of its own to suffer death and birth. In that case, it would mean that the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) which is truly eternal does not pervade everywhere. Therefore when I say 'eternal' it is exactly what Lord Buddha meant by 'not-eternal'.
"In following slavishly the wording of the Sutra, you have ignored the spirit of the text. In assuming that what perishes is non-eternal and that what is fixed and immutable is eternal, you have misinterpreted Lord Buddha's dying instruction (contained in the Maha Parinirvana Sutra) which is perfect, profound, and complete. You may read the Sutra a thousand times but you will get no benefit out of it."
All of a sudden Chang awoke to full enlightenment,
and submitted the following stanza to the Patriarch:
In order to refute the bigoted belief of 'Non-eternity'
Lord Buddha preached the 'Eternal Nature'.
He who does not know that such preaching is only a skilful device
May be likened to the child who picks up pebbles and calls them gems.
Without effort on my part The Buddha-nature manifests itself.
This is due neither to the instruction of my teacher
Nor to any attainment of my own.
"You have now thoroughly realized (the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness))," commended the Patriarch, "and hereafter you should name yourself Chih Ch'e (to realize thoroughly)."
Chih Ch'e thanked the Patriarch, made obeisance, and departed.
Note. - The Buddha's object is to get rid of bigoted belief in any form. He would preach 'Non-eternity' to believers of Eternalism; and preach 'neither Eternity nor Non-eternity' to those who believe in both.
A thirteen-year-old boy named Shen Hui, who was born of a Kao family of Hsiang Yang, came from Yu Chuan Monastery to tender homage to the Patriarch.
"My learned friend," said the Patriarch, "it must be hard for you to undertake such a long journey. But can you tell me what is the 'fundamental principle'? If you can, you know the owner. Try to say something, please."
"Non-attachment is the fundamental principle, and to know the owner is to realize (the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness))," replied Shen Hui.
"This novice is fit for nothing but to talk loosely," reproved the Patriarch.
Thereupon Shen Hui asked the Patriarch, "In your meditation, Sir, do you see (your Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness)) or not?"
Striking him three blows with his staff, the Patriarch asked him whether he felt pain or not.
"Painful and not painful," replied Shen Hui.
"I see and I see not," retorted the Patriarch.
"How is it that you see and see not?" asked Shen Hui.
"What I see is my own faults," replied the Patriarch. "What I do not see is the good, the evil, the merit and the demerit of others. That is why I see and I see not.
Now tell me what you mean by 'painful and not painful'.
If you feel no pain, you would be as a piece of wood or stone.
On the other hand, should you feel pain, and anger of hatred is thereby aroused, you would be in the same position as an ordinary man.
"The 'seeing' and 'not-seeing' you referred to are a pair of opposites;
while 'painful' and 'not painful' belong to conditioned Dharma which becomes and ceases.
Without having realized your own Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness), you dare to hoodwink others."
Shen Hui apologized, made obeisance, and thanked the Patriarch for his instruction.
Addressing him again the Patriarch said, "If you are under delusion and cannot realize your Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness), you should seek the advice of a pious and learned friend. When your mind is enlightened, you will know the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness), and then you may tread the Path the right way. Now you are under delusion, and do not know your Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness). Yet you dare to ask whether I know my Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) or not. If I do, I realize it myself, but the fact that I know it cannot help you from being under delusion. Similarly, if you know your Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) your knowing would be of no use to me. Instead of asking others, why not see it for yourself and know it for yourself?"
Making obeisance more than a hundred times, Shen Hui again expressed regret and asked the Patriarch to forgive him. (Henceforth) he worked diligently as the Patriarch's attendant.
.
Addressing the assembly one day, the Patriarch said,
"I have an article which has no head,
no name nor appellation, no front and no back.
Do any of you know it?"
Stepping out from the crowd, Shen Hui replied,
"It is the source of all Buddhas, and the Buddha-nature of Shen Hui."
"I have told you already that it is without name and appellation, and yet you call it 'Source of Buddhas' and 'Buddha-nature'," reproved the Patriarch. "Even if you confine yourself in a mat shed for further study, you will be a Dhyana scholar of second hand knowledge only.
.
After the death of the Patriarch, Shen Hui left for Loyang, where he spread widely the teaching of the Sudden School. The popular work entitled 'An Explicit Treatise on Dhyana Teaching' was written by him. He is generally known by the name Dhyana Master Ho Tse (the name of his monastery).
.
Seeing that many questions were put to him in bad faith by followers of various Schools, and that a great number of such questioners had gathered around him, the Patriarch addressed them out of compassion as follows:
"A treader of the Path should do away with all thoughts, good as well as evil ones. It is merely as an expedient that the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) is so called; it cannot really be named by any name. This 'non-dual nature' is called the 'true nature', upon which all Dharma systems of teaching are based. One should realize the Essence of Mind (tathātā, suchness) as soon as one hears of it."
Upon hearing this, every one made obeisance and asked the Patriarch to allow them to be his disciples.