Following is a statement by a Zen master (Wu-chien) describing the Way of Zen. Every attempt seems to fall short, yet these pointers for some person may open the door to awakening. The Word is not the way in Zen, but it can lead to it. Some of what Wu-chien is saying is so far from my comprehension and other parts seem reachable, but says that to understand with the mind is to be a thousand miles away…
“Of old it has been said, “There are basically no words for the way, but we use words to illustrate the way.” It is also said, ‘If speech does not avoid cliche, how can it get you out of bondage?’
If powerful people are like long swords against the sky, cold and stern, inviolable, then they will finally have some freedom.
The expedients of Zen masters are like bonfires: get close to them, and you lose your life. If you understand by thinking and know by pondering, you’re a thousand miles away.”
~Wu-chien
