Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘To get results, a practitioner can summon extraordinary effort for a while, but this is very difficult to persist over a long time. Most people are not willing to endure untold suffering to reach a goal. The result is that they may realize that practice is not so easy. Ridding oneself of vexations is not easy, let alone becoming a buddha. In fact, some people develop more vexations after they begin to practice. At some point, they may feel, “I’ll stop for a while; when I am ready, I will come back again.” I have met a number of people who put forth a great deal of effort at first, but slacked off after a while and ultimately turned from the path.

It is best not to seek anything from practice. The more we seek spiritual attainment, the more we live in illusion, and the further we drift from seeing buddha-nature. Instead, we should maintain a calm and stable attitude and just follow the teachings of the Buddha, not concerning ourselves with progress or getting rid of vexations. Free of such concerns, vexations will lessen of their own accord, and we will make progress while being unaware of making progress. If we are anxious about progress, disappointment is likely, and we may become disillusioned and eventually turn away from practice. When we are free from thinking with purpose and have let go of our self-centered mind, then complete enlightenment and buddhahood are possible.’ (Tea Words)