Question
Having first been deeply drawn to Taoist philosophy through Laozi
and Zhuangzi, over the past two years I have followed an exclusively
theoretical trail, one thing leading to another. Books gradually led
me to an interest in Zen, then here.
Tao and Zen answer me in fundamentally the same way, and I am very
happy to see in your answers that you yourself regard them as
identical.
I am now well aware of the great limits of reading and
the need for practice. Yet if I decide to take that step
toward practice, I feel I am already, from the outset,
contradicting what I thought I understood about zazen: this first step
necessarily has a goal—understanding, freedom.
What should we think of this original corruption?
Can we then sincerely imagine simply sitting without expecting
anything? Just doing zazen.
Thank you.
Anonymous
Master Kosen’s answer
Master Dogen’s Fukanzazengi clearly answers your question. Study it.
Kosen