The Three Principles of the Middle Way

First principle: There is no solid ground under your feet, and there’s no tile above your head. This refers to emptiness —that nothing is permanent; everything is constantly changing. Second principle: The sky is blue, the grass is green, cars are driving by outside. This is dependent origination — if this happens, that happens. Third principle: It is neither this nor that. Neither is nor isn’t. Before there’s an I, already you see, already you hear.  You can be without […]

Causality

Accepting causality and letting go of the discriminating mind.

The Hsin Hsin Ming

The Hsin Hsin Ming, the classic poem by the Third Patriarch of Zen, Seng T’san, read by Will Rauschenberger. Seng T’san was the third Chinese patriarch of Zen. The poem attributed to him, the “Hsin Hsin Ming” (lit. “Trust Mind Inscription), is one of the earliest and most influential Zen writings, blending together Buddhist and Taoist teachings. —Translated by Hae Kwang