Elvenoaks Concepts
Higher Learning and Hui Neng
Hui-Neng (637-712), the sixth patriarch of Chinese Buddhism, refined prajna from its former, more intellectual concept, into his "abrupt doctrine." This doctrine stressed the "Enlightenment" of immediate revelation into self-nature - - an "a-ha" moment as it were. Hui-Neng's contribution is recognized today as the wellspring of Zen Buddhism, as both the Rinzai and Soto schools see him as their founder.
Though Hui-Neng saw self-nature much differently than our modern Western view, he can be credited with the notion that learning and understanding is a natural desire of human life and not an imposed doctrine.
Copyright 2005 by dave rogers, All Rights Reserved
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