The Finger Pointing at the Moon

Language is merely a finger, not the tathāgatagarbha itself. However one speaks, what is spoken is not the tathāgatagarbha but a finger. Language can point toward the tathāgatagarbha, and others, following the finger, can realize the tathāgatagarbha. When we face a painting, language can express it freely, yet whatever is expressed is not that painting; but others can, based on the verbal description, understand the painting and come to know the painting.

Therefore, when someone else describes in language their realization of the tathāgatagarbha, one may understand it, but that does not mean it is one's own realization. Only when one has personally observed it directly in the present—whether or not one can describe it in language—is it a direct perception (pratyakṣa) observation of the tathāgatagarbha, and it counts as having awakened to the tathāgatagarbha. Thus, although language is illusory, it is useful; it is an indispensable tool for seeing the Dharma. Indeed, all delusive dharmas are a kind of prop, and each has its use. All the various terms and names are fingers pointing at the moon; they are all props, all maps leading to the tathāgatagarbha, and all of them are useful. The only fear is that the map may be drawn wrongly, or the finger may point in the wrong direction.