Commentary on the Sutra of the Compendium of Father and Son (208)

Diligent Practice of Buddhism Can Eliminate Afflictions in the Mind

The afflictions within our minds are extremely deep, exceedingly numerous, and very difficult to eradicate. In truth, while it may seem difficult, it is not necessarily so. As long as we practice with courageous diligence, afflictions will melt away like snow under the rising sun. Therefore, the difficulty or ease lies entirely within our own minds. For instance, when describing the difficulty of Chan (Zen) enlightenment, an enlightened person like Pang Yun said: Difficult, difficult, difficult! Like spreading ten dan (担, a unit of weight) of sesame oil on a tree! Then, Pang Po (his wife) said: Easy, easy, easy! The truth from the West is right on the tips of a hundred grasses! Lingzhao (their daughter) said: Neither difficult nor easy; eat when hungry, sleep when tired. The three individuals held three different feelings and views on enlightenment. Thus, it is said that the difficulty or ease of all methods depends on the person, on whether their faculties are sharp or dull; difficulty and ease are relative concepts, illusory appearances, not truly existing realities.