《楞伽經》與北宗禪的關涉既是研究中國禪宗史的一個開關，也是研究中國思想史的一枚按鈕。《楞伽經》在中土的盛行，以求那跋陀羅所譯四卷本《楞伽經》為最。通過對北宗禪肇始、隱匿、再興的考察可以看出，「楞伽熱」與「北宗興」是幾近同步的，「楞伽印心」、「以心傳心」是北宗禪傳承譜系的師資主軸，而「飲味《楞伽》」、「以經印宗」則構成了北宗禪修行體系的理論基石。

The relationship between Lankavatara-Sutra (Lengqie Jing) and Northern Zen is not only a switch to study the history of Chinese Zen Buddhism, but also a button to study the history of Chinese thought. The prevalence of Lengqie Jing in China takes the four-volume version as the most translated by Gunabhadra. From the investigation of the beginning, concealment and revival of Northern Zen, it can be seen that “Lengqie prevalence” and “Northern Zen rise” are nearly synchronized; on one hand “Lengqie mutual affinity” and “Tacit teaching” is the main axis of the Northern Zen School inheritance genealogy, on the other hand “intimate approaching Lengqie” and “agreement with school through sutra” form the theoretical cornerstone of the Northern Zen practice system.