Recognized as one of the greatest masterpieces of Buddhist literature, the teachings of Hui Neng have brought joy and inspiration to countless people since they were first written down in the sixth century. The collection of his discourses is known as the Platform, or Altar Sutra, and contains the inspiring autobiography and extraordinary teachings of this "Master Zen". This edition is adapted by Tze-si Huang and has 90 black and white illustrations by award winning illustrator and author Demi.

Birth -- The diamond sutra -- Splitting firewood and pounding rice -- The Fifth patriarch summons disciples to write a stanza -- Shen Hsiu did not know the essence of mind -- Great surprise -- Supreme enlightenment -- Transmission -- Self-salvation -- Disciples surprised -- A mind moving surprise -- Return to Chao-Chi -- The lion's roar -- The western pure land -- The formless hymn -- The lamp of stabilization, stillness, and insight -- Direct mind is the site of enlightenment -- Freedom from thought fixation -- Sitting meditation -- Repentance -- The three treasures -- Fa-hai -- Fa-ta -- Biksu Chih-T'ung -- Biksu Chih-Ch'ang -- Biksu Chih-Tao -- Ch'an master Hsing-Szu -- Ch'an master Huai-Jang -- Ch'an master Hsuan-Chiao -- Ch'an devotee Chih-Huang -- Fang-pien -- Immediate andgradual -- Chih-Ch'e from Chiang-hsi -- Shen-hui -- Imperial invitation -- Final instruction -- Announcement of his desire to leave the world -- Dharma andthe robe -- Nirvana -- The hymn to the real Buddha of self-nature.