Sublime

In the famous Zen ox-herding sequence, the process of gaining enlightenment is analogized to finding and taming a wild ox. As is well known, the final stage of that process is not nothingness, not pure transcendence, but returning to the marketplace with the ox. The ultimate stages of the contemplative path are, finally, a return to where it began.

too, a favorite theme of Zen artists. But the main importance of this sutra for China and for Zen was the point that perfect awakening was consistent with the affairs of everyday life, and that, indeed, the highest attainment was to “enter into awakening without exterminating the defilements [klesa].” There was an appeal here to both the Confucian

It was obviously understood as the discipline of sitting meditation (ts’o-ch’an), in which the mind was “purified” by an intense concentration which would cause all thoughts and attachments to cease. Taken rather literally, many Buddhist and Taoist texts would substantiate this view–that the highest state of consciousness is a consciousness empty o

This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Be very very careful about this point. If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner’s mind. It is the secret of Zen practice.

The venerable Subhuti thereupon answered, “Bhagavan, as I understand the meaning of what the Buddha says, the Tathagata did not realize any such dharma as ‘unexcelled, perfect enlightenment.’ Nor does the Tathagata teach such a dharma. And why? Because this dharma realized and taught by the Tathagata is incomprehensible and inexpressible and neithe

Buddhism is not interested in concepts, it is interested in direct experience only.