True Heart/Mind

"True Heart/Mind" by Sengcan is a foundational text of Zen Buddhism attributed to the Third Patriarch around the early 7th century. This philosophical treatise discusses the nature of the mind and the path to enlightenment, emphasizing the importance of transcending dualistic thinking and returning to one’s original Buddha nature. It combines elements of poetry and instruction, aiming to guide readers toward a deeper understanding of reality and the self. The content of "True Heart/Mind" serves as a meditation on the relationship between mind and phenomena, urging practitioners to abandon attachments and opinions that lead to confusion and suffering. Sengcan stresses that both being and non-being arise from a misunderstanding of the true nature of existence. By advocating for non-discrimination and the practice of non-action, the text encourages a harmonious existence where the distinctions of duality dissolve. The work ultimately leads to the realization of the One Emptiness, a state where the divisions of right and wrong, gain and loss cease to exist, allowing individuals to experience the world in its purest form.