What does ‘The Buddha is not the Buddha’ signify? – Zen Fools

The Buddha is essentially formless and nameless. The Buddha is no more than an imaginary label to be used for the sake of convenience to explain the state free from forms and words. To see and experience the state in the flesh is enlightenment.

Making and following an image of the Buddha is creating and being attached to the illusion of the Buddha. This is to run counter to the Buddha’s teaching. This is why the ancient masters would say that we should kill the Buddha if we meet him.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway