Why is Zen against scriptures?
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definition
"Zen is not against scriptures; it is against the mind that clings to secondhand knowledge, for true understanding arises only when you become the truth yourself."
According to Osho, Zen isn’t against books; it’s against the mind that clings to secondhand knowledge. When Zen says 'burn the scriptures,' it means drop memory, beliefs and interpretations, because words from higher consciousness get distorted by lower consciousness. Only by unlearning and becoming the truth yourself—being a 'Jesus,' not reading about him—can understanding happen; otherwise scripture becomes a barrier.
Why this matters practically
- Helps you drop secondhand beliefs and meet life with fresh awareness.
- Prevents misinterpretation of deep teachings by a conditioned mind.
- Encourages direct practice and inner transformation over collecting ideas.
- Prevents misinterpretation of deep teachings by a conditioned mind.
- Encourages direct practice and inner transformation over collecting ideas.
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