Zen Tada

“Zen practice is not clarifying conceptual
distinctions, but throwing away one’s
preconceived views and notions and the sacred
texts and all the rest, and piercing through the
layers of coverings over the spring of self
behind them.

All the holy ones have turned within and sought
in the self, and by this, went beyond all doubt.
To turn within means all the twenty-four hours,
and in every situation, to pierce, one by one,
through the layers covering the self, deeper
and deeper, to a place which cannot be
described. It is when thinking comes to an end
and making distinctions ceases, when wrong
views and ideas disappear of themselves
without having to be driven forth; when, without
being sought, the true action and true impulse
appear of themselves. It is when one can know
what is the truth of the heart.

The man resolute in the way must, from the
beginning, never lose sight of it, whether in a
place of calm or in a place of strife, and he must
not be clinging to quiet places and shunning
those where there is disturbance.

If he tries to take refuge from trouble by
running to some quiet place, he will fall into
dark regions.
If, when he is trying to throw off delusions and
discover truth, everything is a whirl of
possibilities, he must cut off the thousand
impulses and go straight forward, having no
thought at all about good or bad. Not hating the
passions, he must simply make his heart pure.”
― Daikaku (Jap.) (Rankei Doryu) Chin., Lanxi Daolong