Understand the mind that reads

“To truly read the sutras, first open the mind that reads.”

Master Bassui

The above saying is from the book entitled “Mud and Water”, teachings of Zen Master Bassui. The passage goes on to say, “…... All formal reading of the sutras is ultimately destructive.”

Sutras themselves are teachings or talks from the Masters, Buddhas and Gurus etc. of the world’s religions. In the West we only really know of the Bible and maybe the Koran, but these books exist wherever Masters have existed. Many times mortal men have gone to war waving such books. Their ego minds holding what these “Masters” say. This is an example of people attaching themselves to the finger and not seeing the moon.