Hueng

Hueng (February 27, 638 – August 28, 713), also commonly known as
the Sixth Patriarch

Hueng also known for being the founder of sudden enlightenment.

South Zen school buddhism.

Reaching direct attainment of awakening.

His teaching is the Platform Sutra of the 6th patriarch
and influenced many texts in east asian buddhism.

Primarily the platform sutra and the source of
The Transmission of the Lamp

were works and biographies written by Hueng.

Based on an historic person.

The narrative about that persons religious developement
taking place in the century after his lifetime.

What is the Platform Sutra, lectures with disciples.
However, it has been pieced together over a longer period of time.
Revised, before its final draft.

The platform sutra cites and explains many buddhist scriptures
among them lotus diamond sutra and others listed.

His autobiography is the Platform Sutra.

Moving with his mother to Nanhai after his fathers death
he lived in poverty and that is when he once met a man
who recited the diamond sutra.

that prompted him to awaken and live humbly
like a seeker and monk of zen.

His teacher being the 5th patriarch.
The 5th patriarch HONGREN.

During that time several poem contests
were held among followers
to demonstrate the level of understanding
of essence of mind in zen.

Zen culture influencing and controverting together
like a debate team almost. 

Hueng explained dharma was transmitted
from mind to mind.

That let him to take the role of the 6th patriarch
after Hongren showed Hueng to continue on his journey.

No thought meditation, Hueng thought pure unattached mind.

There are pictures of Hueng of his mummified body. 

concentration and contemplation and his poetry.

The body is like a bodhi tree

And the mind is a bright mirror.

Carefully polish it clean every day,

And let no dust on it.