The State of Eternal Freedom

There is an old saying that you have to regard the Buddha and all the Zen predecessors as enemies before you can begin to study.

Right now you probably think that all the Zen classics and written records of the predecessors are true, and that the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Lotus Sutra are nothing but pure Truth. But if and when you become really enlightened, you will realize that all of these are nothing but thorns to the Eye.

To become enlightened, and thus free-flowing, you must transcend the Buddha and you must transcend the records of the masters. If you feel that you have to listen to this person talk or that person talk, or if you get tied up in this expedient or that expedient, you will continue to do nothing but fail in your quest and you will not live in the state of eternal freedom.

---Venerable Song Chol (1912~1993)---