Linji

“What I point out to you is only that

You shouldn’t allow yourselves

To be confused by others.

Act when you need to,

Without further hesitation or doubt.

People today can’t do this.

What is their affliction?

Their affliction is in their Lack of self-confidence.

If you do not spontaneously

Trust yourself sufficiently,

You will be in a frantic state,

Pursuing all sorts of objects

And being changed by those objects,

 Unable to be independent.”

- Linji (d.867)