Linji Yixuan Quotes on Knowledge
Linji Yixuan was a Chinese Chan Buddhist master of the late Tang dynasty and the founder of the Linji school, the dominant Chan and later Zen lineage in China, Korea, and Japan. This page collects quotes attributed to Linji Yixuan on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Linji Yixuan:
“Don't be deceived by names; look the matter in the face.”
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“<爾且隨處作主。立處皆真。> [T47n1985_p0498a19] from Linji lu (臨濟録, Record of Linji).”
Be a master everywhere and wherever you stand is your true place. (Translator unsourced.) -
“Worthy people, we must value the time. [You are wasting your chance] if you just intend to ‘study Zen’ and ‘study the Path’ as superficial adherents running busily back and forth, getting to recognize terms and phrases, seeking ‘buddhas,’ seeking ‘patriarchs,’ seeking ‘enlightened teachers’ [as you conceive of them]. You only have one father and mother: what else are you seeking? You should reflect back on yourself and see them.”
p. 18 -
“In my view, there are no buddhas and no sentient beings, no ancient and no modern. Those who attain, attain without cultivation, without realization, without gain, and without loss, for them there is never anything else but reality. ‘Even if there is anything that goes beyond this, I would say that it is like a dream or a magical illusion.’ This is what I am saying.”
p. 21