The Dharma-Transmission Verse of the Sixth Patriarch, Mikkaka

Original text: 无心无可得，说得不名法；若了心非心，始解心心法。

Explanation: After awakening to the true mind, one gradually discovers that the nature of this true mind is not the same as that of the deluded minds of the first seven consciousnesses; it is not a mental activity within the three realms. This mind cannot be obtained—it is not acquired from outside; it is the inherent family treasure originally possessed by the five aggregates oneself; it has merely been discovered through the pointing of another person. If one says that enlightenment means obtaining a certain mind that did not exist before but exists now, one that is born later, then it must be a mistaken awakening—one has awakened to the realm of the consciousness mind, which can generate and can perish. Through cultivating meditative concentration, the mind consciousness occasionally sees emptiness and takes the state of emptiness as the true mind. This "true mind" is acquired from outside, obtained through cultivating concentration. When concentration scatters and the state of emptiness ceases, this "true mind" disappears; so one cultivates concentration again to preserve and sustain it, keeping the emptiness constantly present. This method of "awakening to the Way" is not the Way—it is confused and disordered practice. If one clearly understands that the true mind is not the mental activity of the worldly seven consciousnesses, being distinct from the first seven consciousnesses, and comes to know all eight consciousnesses, then one begins to understand the various dharma-marks and various functions of the true mind, and gradually acquires the wisdom of specific characteristics and the wisdom of the varieties of paths.