The Purpose of Zen
Over the course of centuries, Zen has branched out into different schools with individual methods, but the purpose is still the same- to point directly to the human mind (read heart).
Changing Methods
Zen teachers of true vision and great liberation have made changes in method along the way, to prevent people from sticking to names and forms and falling into rationalizations.
Half-Baked Zen
What is most difficult to rectify is half-baked Zen, where you stick to quiet stillness and consider this the ultimate treasure, keeping it in your heart, radiantly aware of it all the time, carrying around a bunch of mixed up knowledge and understanding, claiming to have vision and to have attained the approval of a Zen master, just increasing your egotism.
Zen Master Yuanwu
“Take heed, o people of understanding!”
The old rasmi, pir parasti ’sufism’ is still going strong, thousands of murids who think that their shaykh will “bera-par” them, no need for spiritual work or self improvement or service to humanity or extra worship…..devotion to their Pir and the rituals of the Urs will take ‘em thru.
You’re right bhai but don’t most people just carry on with old habits anyway? As the saying goes:at-tariqu aziz. I guess that’s the point, the REAL Path (and real travelers) are in fact rare.