Essentials of the Dark Pivot (冥樞會要)

About 冥樞會要

Song · by 釋祖心編

90,566 · about 302 min

The *Essentials of the Profound Pivot*, compiled by the Song dynasty eminent monk Shi Zuxin, is a significant Buddhist scripture. Compiled during the Northern Song period, this work aims to systematically organize and concisely gather the core principles and essential practices of Buddhism. Its content primarily extracts the essence of Mahayana sutras and treatises, covering key teachings such as the nature of mind, wisdom, and meditative contemplation, providing practitioners with a clear guide to the essential Dharma. In Buddhist history, the *Essentials of the Profound Pivot* is regarded as a representative work of the integration of Chan and doctrinal teachings during the Song dynasty. It holds a pivotal role in connecting past and future understandings of Buddhist profundities and practical systems, making it an indispensable text for studying Song and Ming dynasty Buddhist thought.