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Rinzai Roku

The sayings of Master Rinzai

Those of you who wish to discipline themselves in

Buddha’s D harma must seek true understanding.

When this understanding is attained, you will not

be defiled by birth & death. Whether walking or

standing still, you will be your own master.

Even when you are not trying to achieve something

extraordinary, it will come to you all by itself.

All followers of the Way, from olden times each

of my predecessors had his own way of training

his disciples. As to my way of leading people,

all that they need is not to be deluded by others.

“Be independent” and go your o wn way whenever

you desire; have no hesitancy.

Do you know where the disease lies which keeps you

learners from reaching “True Understanding”? It lies

where you have no faith in your Self. When faith in

your Self is lacking you find yourself hurried by others

in every possible way. At every encounter you are

no longer your master; you are driven about by others

this way and that.

All that is required is all at once to cease leaving

yourself in search of so mething external. When this

is done you will find your Self no different from

the Buddha or the Patriarch/Matriarch.

Do you want to know who the Buddha is? Buddha is

no other than the one who is, at this moment, right

in front of me listening to my talk on the Dharma.

You have no faith in yourselves and, therefore,

you are in quest of someone else somewhere outside.

And what will you find? Nothing but words and names,

however excellent. You will never reach the moving

spirit in the Buddha, or Patriarch/Matriarch.

Make no mistake.