Unborn Buddha Mind

Re-reading an old book: Bankei Zen.

Great teachings from an 17th century Japanese Zen Master! 
His teachings remain relevant and refreshing to today's world.
The essence of his teaching is on the Unborn Buddha Mind.
It reminds me of Master Seung Sahn's "Don't Know Mind" very much =)

His teaching emphasised that there is no need to attain the Buddha Mind (we cannot attain it actually, as it is unborn) since it is always with us, always available, in the here and the now...

...as you are all turned this way listening to me talk, if out back there's the cawing of crows, the chirping of sparrows or the rustling of the wind - you hear them without making any mistake about them, and that's what is called hearing with the Unborn...

...the Buddha Mind is like a bright mirror.  It reflects whatever is in front of it. It is not deliberately trying to reflect things...

...whether you are going to be deluded or you're not going to, all depends on the present state of your mind...

This brings to my mind also the practice of shikantaza, which also involves effortless and choiceless awareness, all that is required is "opening the hand of thought" ( I quote Uchiyama Roshi) and returning to the present moment, the here and the now, where without any effort or choice, we see, hear, smell, taste and touch...

 May all of us continue to enjoy our practice and be well and happy.
Amituofo. =)