Recognizing the correct teacher of Zen

(koan)

— Master Grasshopper, before I leave the monastery grounds, I must ask: On my wandering path, how will I recognize the teacher who can show me the way?

— When you come across an enlightened sage who has absolutely no intention of showing you the way, he is not the one — said Master Grasshopper— . However, if ever you come across an enlightened sage who, having considered your noble aspirations, would gladly show you the way, he is also not the one.

— But Master, how then shall I recognize the right teacher?!

— Because he will know nothing about the way.

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Note to the reader

In this regard, the great Nyogen Senzaki once said: “Zen is not a thing that can be given by a teacher to a disciple […] we know that the best help to be gotten from Zen is ‘no help.’ Many sects of different religions aim to help people, not realizing that this very help disturbs the inner growth of those so ‘helped’ as well as their own.”