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are very symbolic. There are only a few questions that have been asked down the ages. Everybody knows the answer. Even the questioner knows the answer -- as far as mind is concerned. But he is asking the question so that he can see beyond the mind and beyond the answer of the mind into reality itself.
RYUGE WAS ASKED BY A MONK, "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BODHIDHARMA COMING FROM THE WEST?"
This is one of the most important questions asked in the Zen tradition. Obviously, Bodhidharma is the most important master, who introduced Zen from India into China. The question: "What is the meaning of Bodhidharma coming from the West?" ... you will have to understand that the West does not mean what you know as the West. From China, the place Bodhidharma landed, India is West. The concepts of east and west are very relative. What is east from one point is west from another point: in itself, it is neither east nor west.
Where you are, inside -- in the East or in the West -- there are no directions, no indications, just a pure isness. You are... and so strongly that you don't have to believe in it: you cannot disbelieve. All the religions of the world have been telling people to believe; and I want to make it clear to you that unless you come to a point where you cannot disbelieve, all your beliefs are meaningless. That point where you cannot disbelieve, that indubitable point, is neither East nor West.
That was the purpose of Bodhidharma going from India to China. When Bodhidharma reached China, they were strongly influenced by the thoughts and philosophy of Confucius and Mencius, both great intellectuals. But neither of them had known the peace of no-mind. They knew much and yet -- they knew nothing.
Bodhidharma's master had sent him on this long journey. Three years he had to waste to reach China. He himself was a son of a king. His master gave him orders: "It is now absolutely essential that you should carry the message of being in to China, because it is being overwhelmed by Confucius, Mencius and other thinkers. They think they have found the truth. Go and make it clear that `Mind is absolutely impotent. If you want to know the truth, you
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