為禪宗之根本眼目，乃適切表現禪宗玄義之八句。八句即：正法眼藏，涅槃妙心，實相無相，微妙法門，不立文字，教外別傳，直指人心，見性成佛。

八句義 [py] bājùyì [wg] pa-kou-i [ko] 발구의 p'alguŭi [ja] ハチクギ hachikugi ||| The 'eight phrases' which express the Chan tradition's self-described fundamental characteristics, which are related to direct perception of reality, rather than academic study: (1) zhengfayancang 正法眼藏 - Treasury of the eye of the true dharma. (2) niepanmiaoxin 涅槃妙心 - The subtle mind of nirvāna. (3) shixiangWuxiang 實相無相 - True marks are no marks. (4) weimiaofamen 微妙法門 - The extremely subtle dharma-gate. (5) buliwenzi 不立文字 - No establishment of words and letters. (6) jiaowaibiechuan 教外別傳 - The distinct transmission outside of the teachings. (7) zhizhirenxin 直指人心 - Directly pointing to the mind of man. (8) jianxingchengfo 見性成佛 - Seeing the nature is the attainment of Buddhahood.

禪宗的根本眼目，最切要之義有八句，即正法眼藏、涅槃妙心、實相無相、微妙、法門、不立文字、教外別傳、直指人心、見性成佛。

入阿毗達磨論上一頁云：謂善逝宗有八句義。一、色，二、受，三、想，四、行，五、識，六、虛空，七、擇滅，八、非擇滅。此總攝一切義。如彼論廣釋。

（術語）禪宗之根本眼目，最切要之義有八句。即正法眼藏，涅槃妙心，實相無相，微妙法門，不立文字，教外別傳，直指人心，見性成佛之八句是也。

aṣṭau padārthāḥ.