[FN#256] One of the prominent disciples of Shakya Muni, who became famous for his wisdom.

[FN#257] One of the eminent disciples of Shakya Muni, noted for his supernatural powers.

[FN#258] Zen-rin-rui-sku.

Again, ancient Zenists did not claim that there was any mysterious element in their spiritual attainment, as Do-gen says[FN#259] unequivocally respecting his Enlightenment:  “I recognized only that my eyes are placed crosswise above the nose that stands lengthwise, and that I was not deceived by others.  I came home from China with nothing in my hand.  There is nothing mysterious in Buddhism.  Time passes as it is natural, the sun rising in the east, and the moon setting into the west.”

[FN#259] Ei-hei-ko-roku.

10.  True Dhyana.

To sit in Meditation is not the only method of practising Zazen.  “We practise Dhyana in sitting, in standing, and in walking,” says one of the Japanese Zenists.  Lin Tsi (Rin-Zai) also says:  “To concentrate one’s mind, or to dislike noisy places, and seek only for stillness, is the characteristic of heterodox Dhyana.”  It is easy to keep self-possession in a place of tranquillity, yet it is by no means easy to keep mind undisturbed amid the bivouac of actual life.  It is true Dhyana that makes our mind sunny while the storms of strife rage around us.  It is true Dhyana that secures the harmony of heart, while the surges of struggle toss us violently.  It is true Dhyana that makes us bloom and smile, while the winter of life covets us with frost and snow.

“Idle thoughts come and go over unenlightened minds six hundred and fifty times in a snap of one’s fingers,” writes an Indian teacher,[FN#260] “and thirteen hundred million times every twenty-four hours.”  This might be an exaggeration, yet we cannot but acknowledge that one idle thought after another ceaselessly bubbles up in the stream of consciousness.  “Dhyana is the letting go,” continues the writer—­“that is to say, the letting go of the thirteen hundred million of idle thoughts.”  The very root of these thirteen hundred million idle thoughts is an illusion about one’s self.  He is indeed the poorest creature, even if he be in heaven, who thinks himself poor.  On the contrary, he is an angel who thinks himself hopeful and happy, even though he be in hell.  “Pray deliver me,” said a sinner to Sang Tsung (So-san).[FN#261] “Who ties you up?” was the reply.  You tie yourself up day and night with the fine thread of idle thoughts, and build a cocoon of environment from which you have no way of escape.  ’There is no rope, yet you imagine yourself bound.’  Who could put fetters on your mind but your mind itself?  Who could chain your will but your own will?  Who could blind your spiritual eyes, unless you yourself shut them up?  Who could prevent you from enjoying moral food, unless you yourself refuse to eat?  “There are many,” said Sueh Fung (Sep-po) on one occasion, “who starve in spite of their