Compendium of the Five Lamps

The Eighth Patriarch

At a certain house, he saw a white light rising upward and said to his disciples, “In this house there is a sage. He utters no words and possesses the capacity for the Great Vehicle original: 真大乘噐 (Zhen Dacheng Qi) — refers to someone with the spiritual potential to understand the highest Buddhist teachings. He does not walk the four crossroads, for he knows how to avoid defilement.” When he finished speaking, an elder came out from the house and bowed, asking what the Master required. The Patriarch said, “I seek an attendant.” The elder replied, “I have a son named Buddhamitra original: 伏馱蜜 (Futuo-mi). He is already fifty years old, yet his mouth has never spoken a word, and his feet have never walked a step.” The Patriarch said, “If it is as you say, he is truly my disciple.” Upon hearing this, Buddhamitra suddenly stood up, bowed, and recited a verse:

“My parents are not my true kin,
Who then is my closest relation?
The Buddhas are not my Way,
Who then is the ultimate Way-farer?”

The Patriarch replied with a verse:

“Your words are close to your heart,
Parents cannot be compared to this.
Your actions are in harmony with the Way;
The heart of the Buddhas is exactly this.
Seeking a Buddha with form on the outside
Does not resemble you at all.
If you wish to know your original heart,
It is neither joined nor separated.”

After hearing this verse, Buddhamitra immediately took seven steps. The Patriarch said, “This youth once encountered a Buddha in the past. His compassionate vows were vast, but fearing that the love and affection of his parents would be hard to leave, he neither spoke nor walked.” The elder then allowed him to leave the household life. The Patriarch soon administered the full precepts Full Precepts (Upasampada): The formal vows taken to become a fully ordained monk and then told him: “I now entrust to you the Treasure of the True Dharma Eye of the Tathagata; do not allow it to be cut off.” He then recited a verse:

“Space has no inside or outside,
The Dharma of the Mind is just like this.
If one understands the nature of space,
One attains the principle of Suchness original: 真如 (Zhenru) — reality as it truly is, without distortions.”

Having received the Master’s entrustment, Buddhamitra praised him with a verse:

“My Master, among the Zen Patriarchs,
Is rightfully the eighth.
His teaching transforms countless beings,
All of whom attain the state of Arhat Arhat: One who has attained enlightenment and is free from the cycle of rebirth.”

At that time, Buddhanandi displayed a supernatural transformation, then returned to his seat and entered stillness original: 寂滅 (Jimie) — a term for the passing of an enlightened master with great dignity. The community buried his whole body in a precious stupa. This was in the twelfth year of King Jing original: 景王 (Jing Wang) — refers to the 12th year of the reign of King Jing of Zhou, 533 BCE, a Bing-yin year.

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The twelfth year, a Bing-yin year.

The Ninth Patriarch, the Honorable Buddhamitra

The Ninth Patriarch

He was a native of the kingdom of Digat, and his family name was Vishala. After receiving the entrustment from the Eighth Patriarch, he traveled to Central India to spread the teachings. At that time, there was an elder named Incense Canopy who came with his son to pay respects. The Patriarch said, “This child remained in the womb for sixty years, and for that reason, he is named 'Difficult Birth' original: 難生 (Nansheng). I once met a mountain immortal who said this child was no ordinary person, but would become a vessel for the Dharma. Now that he has met the Honorable One, he may leave the household life.” The Patriarch then shaved the child's head and administered the precepts. During the ordination ceremony Karma (Jie-mo): The formal ritual proceedings of monastic law, an auspicious light illuminated the seat, and thirty-seven relics Sarira (She-li): Pearl-like relics found in the ashes of masters after cremation manifested before them. From then on, he practiced with such diligence that he forgot his own fatigue. Later, the Patriarch told him, “The Great Treasure of the Tathagata's Dharma Eye is now entrusted to you. You must protect and cherish it.” He then recited a verse:

“Truth essentially has no name,
Yet because of names, the Truth is revealed.
Having received the true and actual Dharma,
It is neither 'the truth' nor a 'falsehood'.”

After the Patriarch entrusted the Dharma, he entered the Samadhi of Extinction original: 滅盡三昧 (Mie-jin San-mei) — a deep state of meditative absorption and attained Parinirvana. The community used fragrant oils and sandalwood to build a pyre, collected his relics, and built a stupa at Nalanda Temple. This was in the thirty-fifth year of King Jing original: 敬王 (Jing Wang) — refers to the 35th year of the reign of King Jing of Zhou, 485 BCE, a Jia-yin year.

The Tenth Patriarch, the Honorable Parsva

The Tenth Patriarch

He was a native of Central India. His original name was 'Difficult Birth' original: 難生 (Nansheng) — This refers to the same figure mentioned in the previous section. When he was about to be born, his father dreamed of a white elephant with a precious throne on its back; upon the throne was a bright pearl. The elephant entered through the door, and its light shone upon the assembled people. Upon waking, the son was born. Later, he encountered the Ninth Patriarch and served him as an attendant. He never slept, and because his ribs never touched the mat, he was called the 'Honorable Parsva' original: 脇尊者 (Xie Zunzhe) — 'Parsva' means 'ribs' or 'side' in Sanskrit. He first arrived at the city of Hua...