The Bodhi-mind is known by many names, but they all refer to the One Mind of the Buddha. Nagarjuna said, “The mind that sees into the flux of arising and decaying and recognizes the transient nature of the world is also known as the Bodhi-mind.” Why, then, is temporary dependence on this mind called the Bodhi-mind? When the transient nature of the world is recognized, the ordinary selfish mind does not arise; neither does the mind that seeks for fame and profit.
Aware that time waits for no one, train as though you were attempting to save your head from being enveloped in flames. Reflecting on the transient nature of body and life, exert yourself just as Shakyamuni Buddha did when he raised his foot.
Although you hear the flattering call of the god Kimnara and the kalavinka bird, pay no heed, regarding them as merely the evening breeze blowing in your ears. Even though you see a face as beautiful as that of Mao-ch’ang or Hsi-shih, think of them as merely the morning dew blocking your vision. When free from the bondage of sound, color, and shape, you will naturally become one with the true Bodhi-mind. Since ancient times, there have been those who have heard little of true Buddhism and others who have seen little of the sutras. Most of them have fallen into the pitfall of fame and profit, losing the essence of the Way forever. What a pity! How regrettable! This should be well understood.
Even though you have read the expedient or true teachings of excellent sutras or transmitted the esoteric and exoteric teachings, unless you forsake fame and profit you cannot be said to have awakened to the Bodhi-mind.
There are some who say that the Bodhi-mind is the highest supreme enlightenment of the Buddha, free from fame and profit. Others say that it is that which embraces the one billion worlds in a single moment of thought, or that it is the teaching that not a single delusion arises. Still others say that it is the mind that directly enters into the realm of the Buddha. These people, not yet understanding what the Bodhi-mind is, wantonly slander it. They are indeed far from the Way.
Reflect on your ordinary mind, selfishly attached as it is to fame and profit. Is it endowed with the essence and appearance of the three thousand worlds in a single moment of thought? Has it experienced the teaching that not a single delusion arises? No, there is nothing there but the delusion of fame and profit, nothing worthy of being called the Bodhi-mind.
Although there have been Ancestors since ancient times who have used secular means to realize enlightenment, none of them has been attached to fame and profit, or even Buddhism, let alone the ordinary world. The Bodhi-mind is, as previously mentioned, that which recognizes the transient nature of the world –one of the four insights. It is utterly different from that referred to by madmen. The non-arising mind and the appearance of the one billion worlds are fine practices after having awakened to the Bodhi-mind. “Before” and “after,” however, should not be confused. Simply forget the self and quietly practice the Way. This is truly the Bodhi-mind.
The sixty-two viewpoints are based on the ego-self; so when egoistic views arise, just do zazen quietly, observing them. What is the basis of your body, its inner and outer possessions? You received your body, hair, and skin from your parents. The two droplets, red and white, of your parents, however, are empty from beginning to end; hence there is no self there. Mind, discriminating consciousness, knowledge, and dualistic thought bind life. What, ultimately, are exhaling and inhaling? They are not the self. There is no self to be attached to. The deluded, however are attached to the self, while the enlightened are unattached. But still you seek to measure the self that is no self, and attach yourselves to arisings that are non-arising, neglecting to practice the Way. By failing to sever your ties to the world, you shun the true teaching and run after the false. Dare you say your actions are not mistaken?