The Inconceivable Mind (六祖壇經)

什麼是不可思議？中道實相，見到自己的本心本性，這念心超越了時間、空間，當下這念心的境界就是不可思、不可議，稱之為如來妙心、無住真心。《金 剛經》講：「應無所住而生其心。」這就是不可思、不可議，在禪宗稱之為「本來面目」。悟到自己這念無住心、無為心，又能站得住、站得長，這念心就是不可 思、不可議的境界，這就是菩提心。這念心只能契悟，沒有辦法想得出來。如果能想得出來就有「生」，有生必有滅。不可思、不可議的境界，就是不生、不滅的境 界。什麼是不生、不滅？師父說法、諸位聽法的這念心，不想過去、不想現在、不想未來，一個念頭都不起，這就是不生，因為本具的真心是不住任何境界、是不滅 的，當下不生不滅的這念心就是不思議。悟了這念心，就如古人所說的「如人飲水，冷暖自知」，只有自己知道，別人沒有辦法了解。

--惟覺大和尚開示《六祖壇經》

What is "inconceivable"? The Middle Way Reality, to see one's original mind, original nature, that this "present mind" transcends time and space; this very mind is in the realm of the inconceivable. This is called the profound Buddha Mind, the non-abiding true mind (or true mind without any attachments). The Diamond Sutra says, "The mind should act without any attachments." This is "inconceivable", what we call "the original face" in Zen (Chan).

To awaken to this non-abiding mind, this unconditioned mind, and to be able to stand firm on it continuously (i.e. maintain mindfulness), then one enters the realm of inconceivable, that which is beyond concepts and language. This is the bodhi mind. One can only awaken to, or realize this "present mind", you cannot intellectually understand it. If you can get it by thinking, then it has birth; whatever is born will perish. The inconceivable is beyond birth and death.

What is unborn and undying? As Shifu speaks, you all have this mind which can listen; if it doesn't think about the past, the present, or the future, giving rise to not a single thought, that is "unborn". The inherent true mind does not abide in (attach to) any situation, it does not cease. This unborn, undying "present mind" is inconceivable. When you realize this present mind, like the ancient sages say, "like drinking water, only he knows what it feels like." Only that person knows what it is like. Nobody else can comprehend it.

--Excerpt from Grand Master Wei Chueh's lecture on "The Sixth Patriarch Huineng's Platform Sutra"

Chung Tai Chan Monastery