Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice

by Kosho Uchiyama

What we call “I” or “ego” arises by chance or accident, so we just let go instead of grasping thoughts and “I.” When we let go of all our notions about things, everything becomes really true. This is the fourth undeniable reality, complete tranquillity, or nehan jakujō. It is also described as “all things are as they are,” shohō jissō. Therefore, when we let go of everything, we do not create artificial attachments and connections. Everything is as it is. Everything exists in one accidental way or another. This is the present reality of life. It is the reality of that which cannot be grasped, the reality about which nothing can be said. This very ungraspability is what is absolutely real about things.

I Feel this speaks to the essence of prejudice.