The Use of Zen Koans

The question of whether the Dharma destroys or does not destroy worldly phenomena has become a kōan. It is presented through events for you to investigate, to investigate the mind. When you perceive the mind and understand the mind, you will know the relationship between the Dharma and worldly phenomena. At that point, discussing so much theoretical knowledge becomes useless—it's all just entanglements. Since it's called a Chan kōan, it pertains to Chan, and Chan is the mind. The mind requires you to realize it, to perceive it, to manifest it; it does not require a heap of your theoretical knowledge. All views are useless; even expounding the entire canon of teachings is just idle talk.

When the disciple says the word "destroy," that is the Dharma. When the disciple says the two words "does not destroy," that is the Dharma. Destroying and not destroying, speaking and not speaking—all are the Dharma. Master and disciple are perfectly clear to each other; there is no need for speech to understand one another. It's all just a performance. Bodhisattvas perform the play, ordinary beings watch the play. Experts discern the essence, outsiders just see the spectacle. If one cannot even grasp the spectacle, what more is there to say? All this arguing about destroying or not destroying—to whom are you explaining the principles?

Scriptural teachings are for explaining principles. At that time, if you have principles, you can speak them fully, expound them extensively. But kōans use events to reveal principles. Superficially, they speak of events, but within the events, they reveal the true principle—the true mind, the self-nature, the Tathāgatagarbha. One doesn't even need to open their mouth; the principle manifests itself. It is concise, clear, direct, and readily apparent. Those who understand see it immediately; it's a mutual understanding of the mind. In truth, expounding the Dharma does not necessarily require discussing abstruse and wondrous things or presenting a heap of theories. One can teach the Dharma and liberate beings truthfully without saying a single word. In the Buddha-land of Fragrant Accumulation, the Buddha and Bodhisattvas merely smell the fragrance, and it enables the Bodhisattvas to realize the Way. In other Buddha-lands, the Buddha merely shares a meal with the Bodhisattvas, and it enables them to realize the Way. There are no lengthy theoretical discourses to be given. Language is not essential; writing is not essential. The Way has nothing to do with language or writing. Only the beings of the Sahā World have the habit of language and writing. They like to use language and writing to express their thoughts and feelings, to show off their rich theoretical knowledge, thinking that the longer the article the better, the more books published the better. In reality, it's mostly idle talk. There is fundamentally no need for lengthy discourses; a few brushstrokes capturing the essence are sufficient. The Way is very simple. Without the Way, writing billions of words only wastes one's own and others' mental energy and effort. Those who possess the Way prefer silence. Those without the Way like to talk volubly, boastfully, at great length, to highlight themselves.

Dedication Verse: We dedicate all the merit from propagating the Dharma and group practice on our online platform to all sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm, to the people of the world. We pray for world peace, that wars may cease; that conflict may not arise, that weapons may forever be laid down; that all disasters may completely subside! We pray that the people of all nations may unite in mutual aid, treating each other with kindness; for favorable weather for crops, for national prosperity and people's well-being! May all sentient beings deeply believe in cause and effect, harbor kindness and refrain from killing; may they widely form good affinities, widely cultivate wholesome karma; believe in the Buddha, learn the Buddha, and increase their wholesome roots; understand suffering, abandon its causes, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; close the door to the evil destinies and open the path to Nirvana! We pray that Buddhism may flourish forever, that the true Dharma may abide eternally; that the burning house of the three realms may be transformed into the lotus land of Ultimate Bliss!