Zen does not present a solution, it serves simply to demolish all methods(Dharmas)

Regarding this Zen Doctrine of ours, since it was first transmitted, it has never taught that men should seek for learning or form concepts. 'Studying the Way' is just a figure of speech. It is a method of arousing people's interest in the early stages of their development. In fact, the Way is not something which can be studied. Study leads to the retention of concepts and so the Way is entirely misunderstood. Moreover, the Way is not something specially existing; it is called the Mahayana Mind - Mind which is not to be found inside, outside or in the middle. Truly it is not located anywhere. The first step is to refrain from knowledge-based concepts. This implies that if you were to follow the empirical method to the utmost limit, on reaching that limit you would still be unable to locate Mind. The way is spiritual Truth and was originally without name or title. It was only because people ignorantly sought for it empirically that the Buddhas appeared and taught them to eradicate this method of approach. -- Excerpt from "On the Transmission of Mind"(Huangbo) Translated by John Blofeld--

If it seems as if there is nothing to be gained by 'studying' zen, or in what zen masters are saying, this is because there isn't. What is presented in koans and dialogues with ZM's is a demolishing of ideas presented by students in whatever means considered appropriate to the context of the discussion. This explains much of the seeming inconsistency in responses that ZM's give. They aren't offering solutions, but simply demolishing any idea presented to them.

At times, in this sub, I've been asked why I have nothing to bring to the table but criticism, and this is for the very same reason as is consistent with the zen approach. If you say "mind is the buddha", or "mind is not the buddha", You are attempting to walk on water. There is no where to stand and any attempt to grab ahold of something is futile. When the second patriarch went searching for his mind upon Bodhidharma's request, he found that he was unable to find it, this was the moment of his 'enlightenment'.

Zen does not present a solution, it serves simply to demolish all methods(Dharmas). Having never been bound, what is there to be liberated from? What sort of narrative or explanation will serve to free you from your imagined prison? The trap and the trapped are one and the same (subject and object), and both are impermanent.

Submitted June 23, 2022 at 11:06AM by royalsaltmerchant https://ift.tt/ADyov9f