What Is Zen

WHAT IS ZEN

(published February 1962, Wind Bell #3)

To study Zen is to particularize the Essence of Mind which is transmitted from Buddha through patriarchs to us all.

The transmitted Essence of Mind is water in a river. A river originating in a deep mountain may come down through a ravine into a lake.

According to the place we dip water we want different kinds of dipper. The water itself is the same, but the dippers are not the same. Although the water in the dippers is the same, we must dip it with a special dipper, in accordance with the place we dip.

Just to talk about dipper is not our way.

Just to talk about water is not our purpose.

What is the benefit of a dipper or water?

開佛知見，示佛知見，使悟佛知見，入佛知見也。