Shenxiu’s poem
<p>Why was this an insufficient poem for the competition and how does this not refer to Buddha-nature? Because it is not consistent with the verse from the <em>Diamond Sutra </em>which enlightened Huineng. If the verse says the mind should be developed to be, and established as, pure by clinging to no-thing, the notion that the mind needs to be purified all of the time is not consistent with this. Why? Because the idea the mind needs to be constantly purified is clinging to an idea about the mind and it said no clinging.</p>
<p>If w ecan really comprehend this, really cultivate this, the mind is illuminated and nothing needs to be done. Therefore, Shenxiu had not yet found his original nature because he was still identified with an idea about the mind and what needs to be done. But, nothing needs to be done. It is not about doing more; it is about doing less. It is emptying the mind of clinging and desire; not <em>trying</em> to empty the mind of clinging and desire, which muddies the mind.</p>
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