The Realm Beyond the Prison of Samsara

Huanglong Zen Master once composed a verse: "Spring has a hundred flowers, autumn has the moon; summer has cool breezes, winter has snow. If no idle matters linger in the heart, every season is fine in the human realm." This describes the state of Zen masters who have passed the barrier of prison. Those who have passed this barrier attain a purified mind, no longer clinging to worldly attachments. Though living in the world, they carry no burdens, cherish no doctrines, cling not to the five skandhas of self, nor even grasp at the suchness they have realized. Their minds are utterly open and clear, retaining nothing. Though dwelling among humans, experiencing the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, nothing in their hearts attaches to phenomena. Scenes remain scenes, forms remain forms, people remain people, objects remain objects—all dharmas abide in their own places, unrelated to themselves. Living in the world, they eat and drink as usual yet crave not the world. Their minds have attained liberation because they harbor no attachments.