The Buddha-Dharma is Deep and Mysterious

Abstract

Followers of the Way, true sincerity is extremely difficult to attain, and the Buddha-Dharma is deep and mysterious, yet a good measure of understanding can be acquired. The mountain monk explains it exhaustively all day long for others, but you students give not the slightest heed. Though a thousand times, nay ten-thousand times, you tread it under foot, you are still in utter darkness. It is without a vestige of form, yet distinct in its solitary shining.

Because your faith [in yourselves] is insufficient, you students turn to words and phrases and from them create your understanding. Until you’ve reached the half-century mark, you’ll continue dragging [your] dead bodies up blind alleys and running about the world bearing heavy loads on shoulder poles. The day will come when you’ll have to pay for the straw sandals you’ve worn out. (p. 28)