Master Sengcan was the third patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism and a direct disciple of Master Huike, who received the Dharma from Bodhidharma. He is best known for composing the seminal work “Xinxin Ming” (“Verses on the Faith-Mind”), which emphasizes the realization of non-duality and the oneness of mind and Buddha-nature.
A lay devotee sought repentance and guidance from Huike: “Venerable Master, please cleanse my sins.”
Huike responded:
“Bring forth your wrongdoings, and I will repent for you.”
After long silence, the devotee said: “I searched for my sins — but found none.”
Huike replied:
“I have repented for you. Now take refuge in the Three Jewels and live as a monastic.”
The devotee asked: “Seeing you, I know the Sangha. But what is Buddha? What is Dharma?”
Huike answered:
“Mind is Buddha; Mind is Dharma.
Dharma and Buddha are not two.
Mind, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha —
not four, but one:
all are manifestations of Mind,
born from your heart.
Do you comprehend?”
Instantly awakened, the devotee exclaimed:
“I see! Since Buddha/Dharma/Sangha arise from my mind,
they are not separate from it.
Thus sin’s nature resides
neither within, nor without, nor in-between —
sin’s nature is inherently empty!
Sin too is born of mind.”
Huike, recognizing his wisdom, shaved his head and declared:
“You are a jewel of Sangha — henceforth called Sengcan.”
Philosophical Notes:
Mind as Ultimate Reality:
Huike’s “Mind is Buddha; Mind is Dharma” dissolves all dualities:
Sin/redemption >> Illusory when mind’s emptiness is realized
Outer Three Jewels >> Mere reflections of inner Three Jewels
Sin’s Empty Nature:
The devotee’s breakthrough — “sin’s nature is inherently empty” — exposes:
All wrongdoing stems from ignorance of mind’s purity
Repentance isn’t ritual but awakening to original innocence
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