This is a matter for strong people. People who do not discern what is being asked give replies depending on what comes up. They do not know it is something you ask yourself – to whom would you answer? When people do not understand an answer, they produce views based on words. They do not know it is something you answer for yourself – what truth have you found, and where does it lead? Therefore it is said, "It's all you." Look! Look!
Foyan Qingyuan [1067-1120]
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Wandering Ronin commentary and questions: Master Foyan reveals something quite illuminating when he says that this is a matter for strong people. Yet what is 'strength' when it comes to Zen? How does it relate to study and practice? The way I see it all perhaps will be quite different from the way you see it, but I think it lies in the direction of fortitude and resilience. If we are to learn of Zen, we must read from the many teachings of the masters. When we don't understand, we are to go back and study the teachings until we come to an understanding. This all takes effort and time.
Also, the practice of introspection can be difficult, therefore there must be careful assessments and observations made over time. We must hold fast to our practice even in times of confusion, or strife and hardship. We must have resolve and patience. If a practice of Zen is approached with too much ego or delusion, then there will be nothing but trouble. It is one thing to give up, and perhaps pick up the practice again as needed, but it is much worse to allow the ego to take control and leave the student bound entirely in delusion. In conclusion, what is true strength? It can only be in the direction of One Mind, where there is nothing to carry and no people to carry it if there were.
Submitted June 10, 2019 at 12:37AM by WanderingRoninXIII http://bit.ly/31ksqd0
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