“If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.”
— Zen Proverb (often associated with the teachings of Linji Yixuan)
Education
A student eventually has to think beyond what a teacher says.
The teacher can point toward understanding, but cannot become understanding itself.
Real learning begins when the student investigates independently.
Relationships
People often idealize others.
When someone seems wise, successful, or perfect, we may create an unrealistic image of them.
Growth happens when we stop worshipping the image and see the real human being underneath.
Personal Growth
Sometimes the obstacle is not another person but the identity we create for ourselves.
Labels such as successful, intelligent, enlightened, or important can become prisons.
Growth requires letting go of even positive self-images.
The quote can be paraphrased as:
“When any idea, teacher, belief, or image stands between you and direct experience, let it go - even if it is sacred.”