Hui-Hai

Hui-Hai believes that dwelling upon the non-dwelling is the mind of the Buddha. He urges followers of Buddha to become men who are unattached to things instead of monks in pursuit of karma. Hui-Hai indicates that life will become not necessarily easy but more enlightening if you throw away your grasp on time, past, future, and thinking. He believes the mind is a powerful tool, but it should not be used by the command of the person. Instead, it should be allowed to enjoy its pure state of dwelling upon the non-dwelling.

Hui-Hai's beliefs would be met with criticism and most likely rejection in twenty-first century United States (and many other countries). In most developed nations, intelligence and a curious mind is encouraged, and if you tell your teacher that you want your mind to enter its pure state of nothingness, the teacher will think you are being lazy. I guess as a woman of the twenty first century I can not really comprehend the notion of having my mind cease to think about things.

Pai Chang

When the title said "Short and Sweet" it really meant that. Pai Chang's words of wisdom and enlightenment are all summed up in one paragraph. In my opinion, I perceived Pai Chang's true meaning behind this passage was to hold onto enlightenment when you have finally obtain it. You do not gain knowledge or some sort of divine power when you become enlightened. Instead your mind breaks free from the chains of delusion and unreality. Pai Chang states that "the ordinary mind is the same as a sage's because the original mind is perfect and complete in itself." It seems that he is saying that our minds are the same as the original mind, but we have yet to realize that for ourselves.

Diamond Sutra

Obtaining absolute enlightenment is to obtain absolutely nothing. All that hard work, hours of meditating, and following rigorous guidelines is all for nothing? That could either be the worst or best reward one could ever receive. Nothing. What would obtaining nothing be like. A clear mind? No more suffering? No grudges or frustration? It sounds like a great deal, but it sounds depressing at the same time.

The Diamond Sutra said that a true follower of Buddha does not dally on the concepts of "self" and "others." Also, the mind should banish all thoughts that might arise in it, and the mind should be independent because trusting something (a thought) is not one hundred percent safe. I can not imagine having to banish all my thoughts out of my mind. There a million thoughts jetting in and out of mind on a regular basis, and I enjoy trying to figure my thoughts out. On the flip side, having a moment with a fully clear mind sounds relaxing and refreshing, but I guess I'm not someone who's going to achieve enlightenment anytime soon.

Wu-Men

When I read Wu-men through the first time, I was thoroughly confused. Mu? Killing Buddha? It was like trying to shove a puzzle piece into its correct spot, but it won't fit. This reading did not make any sense. Where was the logic? Where was the plot or meaning? Instead of giving up and reading another passage, I decided to break this one down bit by bit.

Mu is a barrier. In my opinion, its job is to protect your mind from your thoughts. It also serves as a way to guide you to yourself. Most humans live life with the intention of surpassing someone one day, but what is the point of that? You are yourself and you need to know that. When it said, "When you meet Buddha, you kill Buddha," it means that you took Buddha away from himself and claimed it as your own. This passage still confuses me, but I'm glad I have some (minuscule) understanding of it. For laughs and giggles, it sounds like the main message is identity theft is bad.

Schmelke of Nicholsburg

Schmelke of Nicholsburg wrote that we are all part of each other. Each soul is a part of God's original soul, and even though are neighbor, friend, etc...wronged us, we should still love them because they are us. A disciple of Rabbi Schmelke asked him what should he do if he saw someone acting wicked before God? Schmelke replied that every soul is part of the original soul, and the original soul came from the essence of God. From what I gathered, it sounded as if someone blames another for being wicked, then they are blaming God as well.

I found this passage interesting and unnerving. I am intrigued by the idea that everyone is connected via through one soul. It is an interesting concept. I saw a cat run across the street earlier today, and I wondered to myself if that cat and I are one being. What I found unnerving is that I can not imagine myself being connected to murders, rapists, and terrorists. Also, I can not bring myself to forgive someone for murdering an innocent person. I have multiple opinions on this passage, and I can't seem to determine which opinion is more prominent.

Yehiel Mikhal of Zlotchov

Yehiel Mikhal of Zlotchov wrote that the universe and life itself was created for the sole purpose of bringing delight to God. God would take pleasure in sending souls to Earth and watching them become living things, and the everything created by God would live with the notion that without God they would not be here. Thus, they do not exist. The ones who choose to cling to material possessions or turn away from God believe they exist when in reality, they do not. Does this mean that nothing exists in the world?

In my opinion, this passage sounds like the Earth and all life on it are either one giant toy box of amusement, or God's imagination. To me, it is a bit unnerving to see myself as either a toy or a figment of God's imagination. I live life. I face the challenges, the hardships, and the joys of being alive. I do exist.