A. All words that the Buddha and patriarchs preached are not the true-Self but no more than expedient means that point to the true-Self. ‘Only depending upon expedient means’ implies being preoccupied only by literal comprehension without grasping what the words point to.
The Buddha likened his words to a raft for crossing the river of suffering in order to prevent people from making such an error. No matter how important the raft may be, it is of no use at all if we merely treasure it in the same way we appreciate an artwork, without crossing the river by using it for what it is meant for.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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