This Very Mind Is Buddha

Text

Damei asked Mazu, "What is Buddha?" Mazu said, "This very mind is Buddha." At these words, Damei was deeply awakened. Later, Mazu said to the assembly, "No mind, no Buddha." When someone told Damei that Mazu was now saying "No mind, no Buddha," Damei replied, "That old fellow will go on confusing people forever. Let him say 'No mind, no Buddha.' For me, this very mind is Buddha." When Mazu heard this, he said, "The plum is ripe."

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Speaker
  Mazu Daoyi
• Respondent
  Damei Fachang

Lineage: Nanyue line

By Mazu Daoyi

• This Mind Is Buddhakoan
• This Mind Is Not Buddhakoan
• Sun-Face Buddha, Moon-Face Buddhadialogue
• Drink Up the Yangtze Riverdialogue
• Not Mind, Not Buddhadialogue

From Traditional Zen Encounter Dialogues

• My Mind Is Not at Peace
• Thinking of Not-Thinking
• Not Knowing Is Most Intimate
• The Boat Monk's Transmission
• The Sound of Bamboo
• Vast Emptiness, Nothing Holy
• Ordinary Mind Is the Way
• Nanquan Kills the Cat
• Wash Your Bowl
• The Oak Tree in the Garden

Sources

• contentWikisource — English-language free library

  Jingde Chuandenglu, Mazu chapter; Mumonkan Case 30 & 33

  Traditional Zen Encounter Dialogues: This Very Mind Is Buddha