75. What The Ancestors All Taught

All of the zen ancestors had one thing in common. They were adept at cutting off
words and not clinging to imagery. They realized that to be free from the confusion
of harboring preferences and discriminations led to a life of freedom. They taught
remaining peaceful and tranquil regardless of the situation. When free from mental residue
your actions simply reflect a situations potential. Methods that I have stressed in these
writings are evidenced by how you do things.

Exhibiting a calm presence in your mannerisms and action is
prescient. Individuals you come into contact with are drawn by your demeanor and
pleasantly influenced. Unobstructed by the muddy waters of emotion and intellect
and the burden of opposites thinking such as grasping and rejecting ultimately
leads to a life of poise and grace.

Establishing rigid opinions and an unwavering mental state results in suffering.
Emerging from this debilitating orbit by shedding delusions, one begin to manifest
an engaging silence, clear and undefiled. While seeing, hearing, tasting, touching,
smelling, you proceed through your day guided by the still point of a not moving center.
The four body positions, sitting, standing, lying, walking is all Zen.

To this end, Huanglong once uttered, “Over the lonely centuries, the pure wind
has never stopped.” By detaching from thoughts and sentiments you are free.
Seeking Buddha becomes unnecessary for the Buddha is manifest before you this
moment wherever you are, whatever you are doing.
You remain peaceful and serene under any and all situations.

Closing thought: Whenever overcome by thoughts of gaining or losing, right or
wrong, turn your attention to the breath. Stay vigilant to long, slow exhalations
even in the midst of what seems to be a tumultuous circumstance.
Realize that everything is just empty phenomena and ephemeral. As the Heart
Sutra says, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” This dedication, as if not a
single thing was occurring or out of place will manifest as moment to moment
truth.

Yantou said “Abandoning things is superior, chasing after things is inferior.”
Cultivate the state of being empty and tranquil then whatever circumstances arise,
you will as Shodo Harada instructs be able “to cut and let go” as if you were
wielding Manjusri’s wisdom sword.