9. The Prick as Your Guide

Zen masters of the past often used stinging remarks. Why? Because they pierce the very core of human perception. They are the most effective means of propagating the Buddhist dharmas. Although Sakyamuni Buddha had already preached Buddhist doctrine for 49 years, they were used out of sheer compassion as a tool to enlighten the ignorant children. In other words, they were not dharmas.

The Great Zen Masters, however, propagated dharmas by means of stinging precepts and transmission poems. When the initiates encountered the wise and good knowledge of Zen masters, they were provoked deeply so as to arouse a profound search for self, the nature of things, and the nature of mind.  This induced immersion and, finally, ultimate enlightenment. Therefore, if you meet one of these wonderful guides, accept him and welcome him, and  under his tutorship you must make earnest efforts to see the light. Never have doubts as to his validity. Like wild foxes, if you have doubts about your mentor's capability and about the success of the exploration, you will end up a failure. You will bear no fruit, however long you sit in the lotus position.

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