Themes in the Record of Linji

The teachings of the Master Linji provide readers with tools that assist them to awake to their true inner nature. By the use of dithering stick and shout he exhorts his students to be true people, not to be spun around by Vihayas and to desist from dithering and doubt. Master Linji is himself an embodiment of his teaching meaning he exemplifies a true person. A true person is free from dithering, such that he exhibits the non-verbal and the unconstrained spontaneity of the nature of Buddha and does not have mental reflection because it is bad. A true person is never passive, is always active and he is constantly aware of the fact that at any time, nothing at all is lacking during his daily activities and that making hesitation is losing. Mater Linji perceives a true person as the one without rank.  Monks are considered true person. Given that identifying and living the values of the true person emanate from within a person, Mater Linji admonishes his followers that there is no need to look or seek outside oneself when looking for a true person. A realized true person is never rotated by vishayas (senses objects) passively but ‘rides’ the vishayas (Yixuan. & Broughton, 2013, p. 313).

Linji’s exhortations urges true persons not to be rotated by the vishayas but instead to ride on them. This means that whatever the vishayas…………………………..