..续本文上一页gin of this sutra is supposed to give it incontestable importance among all the sutras, and thus the Shingon sect used it to authorize their teaching.

　　For the teaching of the Shingon sect to be authorized should not mean that it is superior to other sects. The Zen practice of dharma Zen transmitted from Bodhidharma may be considered different from the Zen practice of the Tendai and Kegon schools, and the idea of the dharma-nature of samadhi may provide a turning point by which to differentiate the Zen school from other schools, but this does not mean that the Zen Sect or Soshi Zen is superior to other schools. Dharma-Zen emphasizes practice instead of teaching, that is all; but this emphasis does not mean to ignore the words of Buddha.

　　The Nature of the Teaching:

　　Whatever the teaching may be: the teaching confronts each. In accordance with the circumstances, the teaching has absolute value; and to accord with the circumstances the teaching should have an infinite number of forms.

　　Buddhism in its pure and formless form is given to us in samadhi or zazen when we are ready to accept Buddhism without expecting anything. Buddhism is not something you will find out when you try. When you are just ready to accept it, everything you see flashes forth the great light, everything you hear is the wondrous pre-voice. That is why we sit.

　　Engo-zenji, in his introduction to Main Subject No. 15 mentions the “life-taking sword” in order to clarify Ummon-zenji”s answer “topsy-turvy idea.” “To kill” means not to expect anything, not to put any object in front of you, and to be one with what is given to you, as if you use your own hands. “To kill Buddha” means just to be ready to be Buddha. To be ready to accept everything as it comes to you, one thing after another, is Buddha”s activity. In this way the gist of the teaching does not escape you.

　　If you have a preconceived idea of the first principle, that idea is topsy-turvy; and as long as you try to find out what is the first principle which can be applied to every occasion, you will have topsy-turvy ideas. Such ideas are not necessary, Buddha”s great light shines forth from everything, each moment.

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