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The Zen of Confidence
For many Korean Zen practitioners, Chinese Zen master So Sahn's compendium of teachings The Mirror of Zen is second in importance only to the Buddha's teachings. Here, he comments on importance and risk of self-confidence.
My hope is that all practitioners of the Way completely believe in their true self. You should neither lack confidence nor give rise to pride.
Mind is fundamentally equal and the same, and thus there is no real distinction between "ordinary people" and "sages." Nevertheless there are, in reality, those who wander in darkness and those who have been awakened to their true nature, thus distinguishing "ordinary people" from "sages." Following the instruction of a teacher, a practitioner may attain, in an instant, his true self, thereby realizing that he is ultimately no different from the Buddha. Hence it is said, "Originally, there is nothing," which means simply that one must not underestimate oneself, and lack confidence. This is the teaching of "sudden enlightenment."
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*With Autorenew
- You Get
- Tricycle | The Magazine - a one-year subscription to premier Buddhist quarterly
- Tricycle Retreats - a new online video teaching every every week by a contemporary Buddhist teacher
- Tricycle | The Digital Edition - web based edition of the magazine
- The Wisdom Collection - nearly two decades of teachings by the world's most compelling teachers, from the pages of Tricycle
- Tricycle Gallery - the best in Buddhist art to download and share with friends
- Tricycle Book Club - online discussions with leading Buddhist authors
- Tricycle Discussions - teacher-led explorations of dharma in daily life
- The Tricycle Blog - our diary of the global Buddhist movement
- Daily Dharma - heart advice delivered direct to your inbox
- The Tricycle Newsletter - the latest news, teachings, events, and more, every Monday








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