Chapter 11: Five Essential Teachings of Bodhidharma on Direct Awakening

On the Nature of Mind:
"Do not harbor aversion when seeing evil, nor attachment when seeing good. Do not abandon wisdom to approach ignorance, nor discard confusion to seek enlightenment. To realize the Great Way is to transcend all measures; to penetrate the Buddha-mind is to go beyond all bounds. Neither common nor sacred, one who is thus unbound is truly called a Patriarch."

On Seeing True Nature:
"If you wish to know your past, look at your present condition. If you wish to know your future, look at your present actions. Simply seek to let go of the mind—do not cling to cause and effect."

On the Core of Practice:
"Those who seek the Dharma seek nothing. Not a single thing can be grasped—this is truly seeking the Dharma. If you do not see your nature, even reciting the twelve divisions of the Tripitaka creates only the karma of samsara."

On Pacifying the Mind:
"Bring me your mind, and I will pacify it for you."
(From the Transmission of the Lamp: Huike said, "My mind is not at peace. Please, Master, pacify it." Bodhidharma replied, "Bring me that mind, and I will pacify it." Huike searched and said, "I cannot find it." Bodhidharma then said, "There, I have pacified it for you.")

On the Effortless Path:
"Do not recoil from evil nor strive toward good; do not abandon wisdom to cling to ignorance, nor hold to delusion in pursuit of awakening. Act without a trace of intention; abide without abiding anywhere."