The Teachings of Zen Masters
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In one aspect, I appreciate the teaching methods of Zen masters because their teachings are the simplest and most direct.
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Zen masters educate their students without leading you through stories; they directly point to the source of all phenomena or the essence of all things. They generally adopt a method of “taking away”—removing the false narratives you cling to, allowing you to see the truth and the fundamental reality; alternatively, they may give you something that your mind cannot easily grasp.
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The basic approach in their teaching is: to cut off your verbal paths and exhaust your thinking routes. Then, they guide you out of the entanglements of your mind and into the presence of a clean, clear, and genuinely powerful reality.
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Zen masters typically do not “solve” problems—meaning they do not explain or answer them. If you pose a question to me, I might follow your line of thought regardless of whether what I say is right or wrong; this is called solving—explaining or answering. Both explanation and answering occur within thought processes, which Zen masters generally avoid. When you present a question to a Zen master, they often throw it back at you or interrupt your thinking, helping you see where this problem originates from, how it forms, and what its essence is. Then you may discover something that stops the falsehoods and returns to reality.
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Zen masters do not primarily teach through spoken words; rather, they teach with their whole being—they speak through “Dharma.” Therefore, flowers, stones, cloth fibers, hemp, radishes, mountains and rivers—all serve as their mouths and fingers in conveying teachings.
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Strictly speaking, Zen masters do not preach; they only “point” or “demonstrate.” They point to reality and demonstrate true heart; or they point out true heart while indicating reality. In essence, Zen masters do two things: first, they inspire you to awaken your mind; second, they guide you to see your true nature. To awaken your mind means understanding the false ego that causes confusion and suffering in life; it also means realizing the genuine heart that serves as a tool for seeing one’s nature or truth. To see one’s nature is also to see the path and perceive reality.
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Whether Zen masters or Dharma teachers, their ultimate goal is liberation for others. For example, climbing a mountain can take different paths: those with greater strength and skill can ascend directly—that represents Zen; those with less strength or skill may take a winding route to reach the summit—that represents other schools. Depending on convenient methods used for teaching, each has its own name.
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Sometimes I prefer Zen Buddhism; at other times I appreciate other traditions. This is because I enjoy all the scenery along the mountain trails and am willing to walk alongside fellow mountain enthusiasts from various paths. Traveling through this world is beautiful—I find there are places like Sravasti everywhere.
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One day while walking along a path, I discovered a new sprout growing in a crack in the soil. I knelt there for a long time in reverence—no less than worshiping my Buddha—because it embodies Dharma.
by – Taiwan Fearless Tathagata Sprout Great Perfection Meditation Center
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