Saturday, January 10

The Essential Zen

Excerpt:

Zhaozhou asked Nanquan: what is the way?

Nanquan said: ordinary mind is the way

Zhaozhou asked: shall I try for that?

Nanquan said: if you try you'll miss it

Zhaozhou said: how do I know it's the way if I don't try?

Nanquan said: the way has nothing to do with knowing or not knowing. Knowing is an illusion; not knowing is ignorance. If you penetrate the way of no-trying, it will be wide open-empty and vast. What need is there to affirm this or deny it?

Zhaozhou was suddenly enlightened upon hearing this.

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