Verses on the Faith Mind by The 3rd Zen Patriarch, Sengstau

About Seng-ts'an

We have little information about the life of the Third Patriarch. His birthplace and birth date are unknown. According to the Denko-roku ("The Transmission of the Lamp"), written by Keizan Zenji (1268-1325), he was a layman over forty years old suffering from leprosy when when he met the Second Patriarch, Hui-k'o (Jap: Eka), for the first time in 551 c.e. Being deeply impressed with this layman's capacity for the Dharma, Hui-k'o shaved the Third Patriarch's head and named him Seng-ts'an (Jewel of the Community). He was gradually cured of his illness and, after they had been practicing together for two years, Hui-k'o gave him the robe and bowl signifying the transmission of the Dharma. Anticipating the persecution of Buddhists in China prophesied by Bodhidharma, Hui-k'o ordered his successor to hide in the mountains and not to teach. The Third Patriarch remained in seclusion at Ch'ung-kung shan and Ssu-k'ung shan for over twenty-four years. He later met the monk Tao-hsin and transmitted the Dharma to him. After that, the Third Patriarch moved to Lo-fu shan, located northeast of Kung-tung (Canton), for three years. Then he returned to Ch'ung-kung shan and died there in 606 c.e. It is said that he passed away standing under a big tree with his palms together in gassho.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Zen
• dzogchen
• buddhism
• dharma
• truth
• nondual
• nonduality
• nondualism
• Faith
• Mind
• Patriarch
• Seng
• tsan

[cindylynne66]

ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ

[dacasket1776]

If you want to hear a song about the "third zen" check out the music video by the band 3RD ZEN of their song 3RD ZEN. Peace, dacasket1776