In the historical legends constructed by Buddhism since the Tang and Song dynasties, there are various claims about the founder of Zen Buddhism, such as the “heart to heart transmission” initiated by Shakyamuni Buddha and introduced to China by Bodhidharma during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
In fact, after in-depth research and verification by modern scholars such as Hu Shi, Tang Yongtong, Ren Jiyu, etc.
, we should basically be able to determine that the so-called “Sixth Patriarch” Huineng is the true founder of Zen Buddhism.
His disciples compiled his speech collection “The Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch Altar”, which fundamentally differs from the various popular views within Buddhism before regarding the interpretation of “Zen”.
It basically abandons the dark and pessimistic outlook on life that permeates traditional Indian Buddhism, and deconstructs the flawed yet cumbersome philosophical system of concepts, presenting a value orientation of diligence, optimism, worldly immersion, and rationality.
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