Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

It is well-known that among the three kinds of the Platform Sutra, the Ton-ko-pen and the Te-i-pen have various difference in their contents. One of the main differences is concerning the position of Shen-hue who is a disciple of the sixth patriarch Hui-neng. His position in the Platform Sutra has been of crucial importance in the determination of dharma lineage in the ch'an school. But the Te-i-pen denied that Shen-hue succeeded to the dharma of hui-neng. In this paper, I examine why the editions are opposite in their estimation of Shen-hui, and demonstrate that the difference is related to the problem of establishing the orthodoxy of Lin-chi Ch'an sect.