Sometimes in our intense desire to learn, to acquire technique, to attain an enlightenment, we seem to push farther from us the very state we seek. In the above story the sense of Zen being a teaching outside words and letters, scriptures and dogma is well illustrated. Kyogen had learned all the outer form of Zen, but in terms of deeper realization, the new Master aided him best in his quest for true understanding. The realization of Zen is not something that can be "told" to anyone, rather it is based on direct experience of the Truth. Words more often than not, obscure understanding.

As Chuang tze would say, "Show me the person who understands that words have no meaning - that's the person I want to talk to."

Some translations of the above story end like this:

Kyogen, enlightened, bows in the direction of his deceased teacher and says, "Master, I thank you for never stating anything too clearly."

It is a delicate balance exploring a life of training. We want to give the effort of Kyogen without becoming lost in attainments which are the smaller goals and distract us from the wu/wei we seek.

Nothing Extra,

Acceptance

Foxnix Posted on: Dec 28 2004, 03:54 AM

Member

Group: Members

Posts: 75

Joined: 19-March 04

From: Carriere. Mississippi

Member No.: 2577

I have no parents; I make the Heavens and the Earth my parents.

I have no home; I make the Tan T'ien my home.

I have no divine power; I make honesty my Divine Power.

I have no means; I make Docility my means.

I have no magic power; I make personality my Magic Power.

I have neither life nor death; I make A Um my Life and Death.

I have no body; I make Stoicism my Body.

I have no eyes; I make The Flash of Lightning my eyes.

I have no ears; I make Sensibility my Ears.

I have no limbs; I make Promptitude my Limbs.

I have no laws; I make Self-Protection my Laws.

I have no strategy; I make the Right to Kill and the Right to Restore Life my Strategy.

I have no designs; I make Seizing the Opportunity by the Forelock my Designs.

I have no miracles; I make Righteous Laws my Miracle.

I have no principles; I make Adaptability to all circumstances my Principle.

I have no tactics; I make Emptiness and Fullness my Tactics.

I have no talent; I make Ready Wit my Talent.

I have no friends; I make my Mind my Friend.

I have no enemy; I make Incautiousness my Enemy.

I have no armour; I make Benevolence my Armour.

I have no castle; I make Immovable Mind my Castle.

I have no sword; I make No Mind my Sword.

Thanks to Mr. Fowler at: Lfowler's Home Page for the use of the Samurai Creed!

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