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The Living Tradition of Zen Practice – The Wordless Zen School
Non-attainment means not holding on to any dharma, because “attainment” is a mental formation not in concord with the mind, not mind and not form. The Prajnaparamita Sutra emphasizes non-attainment together with no suffering, no origination, no cessation, no path, and no wisdom—there is nothing for us to cling to or seek. The principle of non-attainment helps us return inward to discover the Buddha nature that is always present, just as the Buddha, on the night of enlightenment, realized that awakening is inherently available in himself and in all beings.
The doors of liberation in original Buddhism, further explored by the Mahayana, include:
- Emptiness: not clinging to an independent self-nature
- Signlessness: not having a fixed form
- Aimlessness: nothing left to do, dwelling peacefully in the present moment
The Zen school of the Gateless Gate advocates sudden enlightenment, complete awakening that does not unfold gradually. Four examples illustrate that enlightenment does not depend on age or experience:
- A newborn prince contains the substance of kingship
- A tiny spark can burn down an entire forest
- A small snake can still be deadly
- A young monk can fully embody holiness
Atomic scientists have also recognized the signless nature of subatomic particles—sometimes wave, sometimes particle—opening the door to a deeper understanding of the ontological ground of all phenomena. Practicing mindfulness in sitting, walking, and standing at ease is the practice of non-attainment and aimlessness, opening the heart so that the sunlight of insight can shine within, dissolving all entanglements and attaining true freedom.
