Teachings From Ancient Vietnamese Zen Masters – 82
34 Be wise
Wise persons don’t realize the Way.
Those who realize the Way are all foolish.
Be a guest, lay straight, stretch your legs,
and don’t mind about truth and untruth.
TINH KHONG (? – 1170)
(COMMENT: When you see the emptiness nature of all things, you know
that the Way could not be described by words, and practitioner from
this world of suffering must take a leap into the world of liberation. How
can you describe to a blind person about colors? Just like after turning
on a light, you see all things anew, and you don’t mind about truth or
untruth anymore. Truth and untruth are the stories of the old world, not
belonging to the unspeakable world in front of your eyes now. How can
you say about turning on a light? Just a snap of finger? That is why
some Zen masters said that the Way must be a pathless way. Because
all things, including the Way, are empty in nature, Zen Master Tinh
Khong said, “Wise persons don’t realize the Way.” Still you must be
careful. After seeing the emptiness nature of all things, you still have to
practice rigorously – old habits take time to fade out, and your eyes
take time to see the new world more clearly.
Also, meditation is the insight of the present realized. Don’t wait for
whatever realization. In meditation, there is no eyes, ears, nose,
tongue, body, and mind; also in meditation, there is no future to wait
for, there is no past to treasure. Just relax, and be mindful. You don’t
need to turn on anything, because the light of insight is already on.)
