Excerpts from the Dharma Collection and Special Practice Record with Personal Notes

The Ox-Herder Chinul’s self-styled name, "Mokujaja" or "Ox-Herder," signifying the path of taming the mind. says: Although Heze Shenhui Heze Shenhui A prominent figure in the Southern School of Chan Buddhism, known for his sharp analytical insight. was a master of understanding and intellectual discernment—and while he was not the direct successor of Caoxi Caoxi The mountain residence of the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng; synonymous with the orthodox lineage of Zen.—his enlightenment was profound, and his ability to discern truth was clear. Since Master Mi Presumably Guifeng Zongmi, a major influence on Chinul who sought to harmonize Zen and scriptural teaching. inherited this essence, I have expanded upon and clarified these points in this record so that the truth may be plainly seen.

Now, for those of my fellow practitioners who seek to awaken their minds, I have removed the redundant words and extracted the core essentials to serve as a mirror for their contemplative practice. I observe that practitioners of our time do not rely on the guidance of the sacred scriptures; they claim that the secret, wordless transmission is the only path. Consequently, they become lost in darkness, laboring in vain while merely sitting in a stupor A critique of "dead-sitting" Zen that lacks scriptural foundation or proper guidance., or they become confused and mentally disordered in their practice. Therefore, it is necessary to rely on the truthful teachings of the scriptures to determine the root and branches of enlightenment and practice, and to use these as a mirror for one’s own mind. In this way, one can reflect upon oneself at all times and not exert effort in vain. Furthermore, the previous sections of this record, which discuss Shenxiu Shenxiu The representative of the Northern School of Zen, often contrasted with the Southern School's emphasis on sudden enlightenment. and others, serve to clearly distinguish these matters.