An introduction to Zen Buddhism

ILLOGICAL ZEN

"But,according to Yolta,^ 'Thereare nosentient beings,

therearenoBuddhas; sagesasnumerousasthesandsofthe

Gangesarebutsomanybubblesinthesea;sagesandworthies

ofthepastareLikeflashesofUghtning.*Isthisnotanegation?

"Oyou, mydisciples, ifyousaythereis, yougoagainst

Yoka;ifyousaythere isnot,youcontradictouroldmaster

Buddha.Ifhewerewithus,thenhowwouldhepassthroughthe

dilemma?Ifyouknow,however,justexacdywherewearc,we

shallbeinterviewingBuddhainthemorningandsalutinghimin

theevening.If,ontheotherhand,youconfessyourignorance,I

willletyouseeintothesecret.WhenIsaythereisnot,thisdocs

notnecessarilymeananegation; whenIsaythereis, thisalso

docsnotsignifyanaffirmation.Turneastwardandlookatthe

WesternLand;facethesouthandtheNorthStarispointedout

there!"

iYung-chiainbis"SongofElnlightenmcnt".