380. ZEN REMARKS

380. Master Daito Kokushi teaches that doing zazen consists in 'sweeping away thoughts'. He adds: 'When thought is put down, the original face appears'. But what does he mean by 'thoughts'? The Master answers: 'Experiencing heat and cold and so on, or feeling a lack, or having desires -- these are all delusive thoughts'. Sounds as though he would have the Zen practitioner reduce him- or herself to a robot. Hardly an attractive goal.