Fw: self defeat, non-competitiveness and verbal teachings

[Guest guest]

*Self Defeat*

 

The ultimate way is without difficulty; those who seek it make their own

hardship. The true mind is originally pure; those who exercise it make

their own defilement.

 

Hui-k'ung (1096-1158)

 

 

*Non-competitiveness*

 

The way the old adepts of ancient times asked about the path was not

competitive or contentious; they would inquire of anyone with some strength,

even a child. Only thus may people be called students of the way.

Followers of Zen in recent times may say they are going traveling solely

to investigate the great concerns of life and death, but though they may

imitate the appearances of the ancients, they remain very competitive and

contentious. Once you have this problem, the source of direct pointing

cannot be understood.

It is like the case of archers: if they start out competing, they'll

never achieve good marksmanship. It is after long practice without thought

of winning or losing that they can hit the target. So it is with study of

the path: if even a single thought of winning and losing abides in the

heart, you will be chained by winning and losing.

 

Ying-an (d. 1163)

 

 

*Verbal Teachings*

 

All verbal teachings are just to cure diseases. Because diseases are not

the same, the remedies are also different. That is why it is sometimes said

that there is Buddha, and sometimes it is said that there is no Buddha.

True words are those which actually cure sickness; if the cure manages to

heal, then all are true words. If they can't effectively cure sickness, all

are false words.

True words are false words when they give rise to views. False words are

true words when they cut off the delusions of sentient beings. Because

disease is unreal, there is only unreal medicine to cure it.

 

Pai-chang (720-814)

 

 

from "The Teachings of Zen," ed Thomas Cleary