“I had a discussion with a great master in Japan…and we were talking about the various people who are working to translate the Zen books into English, he said:
‘That's a waste of time. If you really want to understand Zen… you can use any book. You could use the Bible. You could use Alice in Wonderland. You could use the dictionary, because the sound of the rain needs no translation.’”
– Alan Watts
Listen to the rain. If it’s not raining today, listen to the snow, or the wind, or the branches of the trees cracking in the heat of the sun.
No matter how quiet it is, there is a zen teaching in it for you to hear. If you listen clearly, with a quiet mind.
What do you hear? What is it teaching you?
I could tell you, but there is no need, that would be such a poor teaching. Just listen to the rain, It contains everything you need to know.
ANDO / LIVING ZEN RETREAT / DAY 14 / SUNDAY 19 JANUARY 2014, 14:00.