Did Master Hui Neng reject meditation?

Just like Buddhism has many different schools of thought, so does the Zen(or Ch’an) tradition. For this reason, using one single name or label would be misleading. Instead of using the term “Buddhism,” it may be more accurate to use the term “Buddhisms.” Similarly, the use of a single term, Zen, would not do justice to the wide variation and often incompatible philosophies among the different Zen schools. There is a popular belief that sitting meditation is an integral part of the Zen tradition. The truth, however, is that not all of the Zen schools believe in sitting meditation. If we use the teachings in the Platform Sutra as our point of reference, then it would be fair to say that Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen, rejected sitting meditation as a way to practice Buddhism.

I recently had a debate with someone online about the importance of meditation in the practice of Zen. Just like most Americans, this person insists that meditation is essential to the Zen practice. I have a very different opinion on this matter. But just for fun, I decided to consult an AI chat box, You Chat, to see what the bot would say. I asked the bot this question — is sitting meditation essential to the practice of Zen? Here is the answer:

Sitting meditation, or zazen, is an essential part of Zen practice. It is the foundation upon which all other Zen teachings are…