The Mind Is The Buddha

The mind is the buddha. This is Mahayana Buddhism in a nutshell.

In the 'Transmission of the Lamp" we read of an exchange between a monk and Big Plum.

Once a monk asked Big Plum what Matsu taught him.

Big Plum said, "This mind is the Buddha."

The monk replied, "Nowadays Matsu teaches That which isn't the mind isn't the buddha."

To this Big Plum responded, "Let him have That which isn't the mind isn't the buddha. I'll stick with This mind is the buddha."

When he heard this story, Matsu said, "The plum is ripe."