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The Way of the Great Buddha
According to Buddhists, it is impossible to describe the state of Nirvana, which is
sometimes depicted as an extinction of self. Yet Buddhist scholars found it difficult to
avoid trying to interpret the term for their followers. The following passage by the
Chinese monk Shen-Hui, one of the leading exponents of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, dates
from the eighth century and attempts to describe the means by which an individual may
hope to seek enlightenment. There are clear similarities with philosophical Daoism.
Shen-Hui, Elucidating the Doctrinei
“Absence of thought” is the doctrine.
“Absence of action” is the foundation.
True Emptiness is the substance.
And all wonderful things and beings are the function.
True Thusness is without thought; it cannot be known through conception and thought.
The True State is noncreated – can it be seen in matter and mind?
There is no thought except that of True Thusness.
There is no creation except that of the True State.
Abiding without abiding, forever abiding in Nirvana.
Acting without acting, immediately crossing to the Other Shore.
Thusness does not move, but its motion and functions are inexhaustible.
In every instant of thought, there is no seeking; the seeking itself is no thought.
Perfect wisdom is not achieved, and yet the Five Eyes all become pure and the Three
Bodies are understood.
Great Enlightenment has no knowledge, and yet the Six Supernatural Powers of the
Buddha are utilized and the Four Wisdoms of the Buddha are made great.
Thus we know that calmness is at the same time no calmness, wisdom at the same time
no wisdom, and action at the same time no action.
The nature is equivalent to the void and the substance is identical with the Realm of Law.
In this way, the Six Perfections are completed.
None of the ways to arrive at Nirvana is wanting.
Thus we know that the ego and the dharmas are empty in reality and being and nonbeing
are both obliterated.
The mind is originally without activity; the Way is always without thought.
No thought, no reflection, no seeking, no attainment;
No this, no that, no coming, no going.
With such reality one understands the True Insight [into previous and future mortal
conditions and present mortal suffering].
With such a mind one penetrates the Eight Emancipations [through the eight stages of
mental concentration].
By merits one accomplishes the Ten Powers of the Buddha.
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Excerpt from Sources of Chinese Tradition, by William Theodore DeBary. Copyright 1960 by Columbia
University Press, New York.