無門關 1.105

1.105

Wumen said: "Generally, in investigating Chan and studying the Way, it is strictly forbidden to follow sounds and pursue forms. Even if one awakens to the Way by hearing sounds and clarifies the mind by seeing forms, that is still ordinary. One does not know at all that patch-robed monks ride on sounds and cover over forms: in every circumstance they are clear; in every move they are marvelous. Even though it is so, tell me: does the sound come to the ear, or does the ear go to the sound? Even if reverberation and quietude are both forgotten, when you arrive here, how will you speak of it? If you listen with the ear, it will surely be difficult to understand; only when you hear sound at the eye will you first become intimate."