
tassajara zen center
 
I often see 
those who are trying 
to study Buddhism just use
 their worldly intelligence to sift 
among the verbal teachings of the buddhas
 and ancestral teachers, trying to pick out especially 
wondrous sayings to use as conversation pieces to display 
their ability and understanding. This is not the correct view 
of  the matter. You must abandon your world view and sit 
quietly with mind silent. Forget entangling causes 
and investigate with your whole being. When 
you are thoroughly clear, then whatever 
you bring forth from your own
 inexhaustible treasure of 
priceless jewels is sure
 to be genuine and
 real.
 
So first
 you must awaken
 to the Fundamental and 
clearly see the essence where 
mind equals buddha. Detach from 
all false entanglements and become free
 and clean. After that respectfully practice all 
forms of good, and arouse great compassion to bring
 benefits to all sentient beings. In all that you do, be even and
 balanced and attuned to the inherent equality of all things —
 be selfless and have no attachments. When wondrous 
wisdom manifests itself and you penetrate through
 to the basic essence, all your deeds will
be wonder-working. Thus it is said,
“Just manage to accept the 
truth — you won’t be 
deceived.”
 
Make 
enlightenment your 
standard, and don’t feel bad
 if it is slow in coming. 
Take care!
 
Yuanwu