Zen is sometimes described as "A special transmission outside the scriptures, not relying on words or letters."
For further reading on this topic, I recommend this histrorian's article:
Yet historians of Zen Buddhism almost unanimously agree
these days that the 'Zen way' rarely, if ever, left the
words and letters behind. In fact, throughout its history, Zen Practice
has been intertwined with Buddhist philosophy, Sutra study, and
scholarship of the highest order. Yes, there were ancient monks who
would burn all their books ... build a hut in the woods and leave all
intellectual pursuits behind ... but most would choose to write
and study in between doing so!
. (today's video sitting below)
Perhaps
we should best say that there are moments when we "burn the
books", moments when we grasp the moon or a flower without an added
thought, and times when we build a hut on a stone cliff far removed
from busy life ... but other moments when we read and philosophize
about the words while piercing through the words to the spaces between.
For further reading on this topic, I recommend this histrorian's article:
(remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells;
a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended)
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