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The Zen master acts as a guide, prompting students to find their own truth from "summary" of The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-chi by Yixuan,Burton Watson
A Zen master embodies a unique role, acting not as a traditional teacher who imparts knowledge, but as a catalyst for inner discovery. By presenting riddles, paradoxes, and enigmatic teachings, the master encourages students to engage deeply with their own thoughts and feelings. This method stimulates introspection, pushing students to dig beneath surface-level understanding and confront their own perceptions of reality. Through the master’s guidance, students learn to embrace uncertainty and question their preconceived notions. The process often involves direct experience rather than intellectual analysis. A well-placed question or a sudden confrontation can shatter complacency, igniting a transformative journey toward self-awareness. Silence also plays a crucial role in this dynamic. In moments of quiet contemplation, students may find that the absence of words creates space for genuine insight. This silence, punctuated by the master’s occasional words, serves to remind students that truth is not something to be handed down but discovered within themselves. The master exemplifies patience, allowing students to grapple with their own struggles. This approach fosters resilience and encourages individuals to rely on their intuition rather than external validation. As students wrestle with their thoughts, they begin to realize that the path to understanding is often fraught with confusion and doubt, yet it is precisely in this wrestling that deeper truths emerge.- The master helps cultivate a profound relationship between the student and their own existence. Each encounter is an invitation to peel back layers, revealing the essence of one’s being, and ultimately leading to a more authentic understanding of life and self.
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