Gateless Gate Case 22: Caosho and the Flagpole
Zen is famous for the heartfelt depth of the teacher-student relationship, a merging of the greatest intimacy. But when transmission happens between a teacher and student, what's being passed on? It's not a special robe, it's not the scriptures, it's not esoteric knowledge-rather, it's the vitality of Buddhism itself. Transmission is not just about those who become teachers, it's part of every student's practice because the teachings happen all the time. We need to open ourselves up to the teachings and bring them to fruition in our everyday lives. When we become the teacher and the teachings with every action of body, speech, and mind, then the transmission has truly been received.