Bodhidharma's Definition of Zen

[Mornings Son]

Bodhidharma's Definition of Zen


Four Sacred Verses of Bodhidharma (Daruma no Shiseiku 達磨四聖句)


教外別傳      Kyõge
betsuden       

A special transmission outside the scriptures;


不立文字      Furyû
monji              

No
dependence upon words and letters;


直指人心      Jikishi
ninshin                       

Direct
pointing at the essence of man;


見性成佛      Kenshõ
jõbutsu       

Seeing
into one's nature and the attainment of Buddhahood.




Bodhidharma (Essays in Zen Buddhism
– First Series 176)