Henry Shukman has discussed the Zen teaching, “The finger pointing at the moon is not the moon itself.” In a talk at Upaya Zen Center, he explored a koan by Master Gutei, a Tang dynasty Zen teacher known for responding to any question about Zen by lifting a finger. When his student imitated this gesture, Gutei cut off the student’s finger and then brought him to enlightenment by lifting his own finger. Mr. Shukman explained that a koan points toward something beyond words, emphasizing the importance of direct experience over conceptual understanding.
In another message, Mr. Shukman cautioned against becoming overly interested in conceptual discussions about Zen, suggesting that doing so is akin to mistaking the finger for the moon. He emphasized that Zen centers on action and experience rather than intellectual understanding, advocating for a shift from certainty to trust in uncertainty.
This teaching underscores the importance of direct experience in Zen practice, warning against confusing representations or teachings (the finger) with the ultimate reality they indicate (the moon).