The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch

Hui-neng (Eno) is the Sixth Ancestor of Zen in China. This Grand Master is considered by all Zen schools as second in importance only to Bodhidharma (The First Ancestor of Zen in China). Many consider this record by Hui-neng as THE point in Zen history when the universal elements of Buddhism achieved its first thoroughly Chinese expression. That is to say, the point where the Zen became Zen. Phillip B. Yampolsky's translation continues to be the standard (although Thomas Cleary's translation is excellent also) of this classic record, which is the only acknowledged Buddhist text composed in China to achieve the status of sutra (scripture). Yampolsky's translation is from the earliest text in existence - the Tun-huang manuscript. This book includes an in-depth introduction introducing the reader to the historical aspects of its creation, the various versions, and an overview ot the fundamental concepts of Hui-nengs Zen teaching.

This volume is a great entry to the Chinese take on Buddhism. It consists of a hefty introduction/historical background section as well as the text in translation and the original. The translation of the text is one of the smoothest I've read of Chinese, which must be a confluence of the material and the translator. The Platform Sutra itself consists of more than metaphysical exposition, going into the biography of Hui-neng and the context of his teaching (both of which are at least as interesting as the religious part of the text). If you want to broaden your understanding of the quest for understanding, this book would be a great addition to your library.