The illusions arise from the mind. If there were no mind, where then would the illusions that tie you be? Do not tire yourselves in vain by making up discriminations and attaching yourselves to them, and you will find the Way in no time. If you chase wildly around, trying to get from others through learning, even after three kalpas you will only end up in returning to birth and death. It is not as good as just sitting with your legs crossed on the meditation cushion with nothing further to seek.
Commentary:
When it is said that everything is from the mind, many people are confused into being attached to the illusion of the mind. That is why Master Rinzai said that there is no mind. In ‘everything is from the mind’, the mind implies Emptiness. So, everything from the mind is also empty. Without knowing what reaches your eyes and ears is all Emptiness, attaching names to it according to your perspective and clinging to the names is no other than being deluded by illusions. Seeing everything, your acts of naming things and all names included, just as the functions of Emptiness is finding the Way, the true-Self, which is referred to as enlightenment. In this state of Emptiness there is nothing to acquire by learning and no one to learn or learn from. That is why Rinzai said, “Do not tire yourselves in vain by making up discriminations and attaching yourselves to them, and you will find the Way in no time.” You should remember that the realisation of the true-Self, enlightenment cannot be acquired from others in the way we get knowledge through learning step by step but happens in no time just like awakening from your dream. So, Master Rinzai said, “If you chase wildly around, trying to get from others through learning, even after three kalpas you will only end up in returning to birth and death.”
©Boo Ahm
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