There are some folks who desperately want to 'save' you. Remember that guy who went to that island with the inhospitable natives and got himself killed, trying to bring them Christianity? You know the Jehovahs that knock on your door every so often?
Those people will go to extreme lengths to convert you. Don't you think it's possible that someone like that could try to use Zen language to 'bring you to the light'? It might be unlikely, but how about subtler situations? Some of those folks might have started with Zen language and still feel that compulsion.
It's actually pretty insulting and arrogant of them, don't you think? Who are they to tell you how to live? Haven't we all been 'practicing' this our entire lives?
What's the difference between Huineng and Shenxiu? That's not a subtle difference, and those guys came from the same place.
There are some very comfortable and tempting doctrines. 'You must behave in this way' is a common example, but so is 'Deep down we're all the same'. Each of us knows for certain as much as anyone else - can't that be what we rely on? You'll always have that - nobody can give it to you, and nobody can take it away. You won't be here when you die.
Joshu preached to the people. He said: "Each one has his Zen. Each one has his Way. If you are asked, 'What is Zen? What is the Way?' what will you answer?"
At that a monk asked, "Since each has his Zen and each has his Way, why, then, did those of old and do those of today talk [about Zen and the Way]?"
Joshu said, "Because you have lost your soul."
The monk said, "How on earth will you teach the people?"
At that Joshu turned away and said no more.
Submitted January 31, 2020 at 04:25PM by sje397 https://ift.tt/2OhcrYl
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