The Finger Pointing at the Moon

Language is merely a finger, not the tathāgatagarbha itself. No matter how one speaks, what is spoken is not the tathāgatagarbha but a finger. Language can point toward the tathāgatagarbha, and others, following the pointing, can realize the tathāgatagarbha. When we face a painting, language can express it freely, yet whatever is expressed is not that painting itself; however, others can, based on the verbal description, understand the painting and come to know the painting.

Therefore, when someone else has realized the tathāgatagarbha and describes it in language, one can understand it, but this does not mean one has realized it oneself. Only when one has personally and directly observed it in the present—regardless of whether one can describe it in language—is it direct perception of the tathāgatagarbha, and it counts as realizing the tathāgatagarbha. Thus, although language is illusory, it is useful; it is an indispensable tool for seeing the Dharma. Indeed, all illusory dharmas are a kind of expedient device, and all have their use. All various terms and concepts are fingers pointing at the moon; they are all expedient devices, all maps leading to the tathāgatagarbha, and all have their use. The only fear is that the map may be drawn incorrectly, or the finger may point in the wrong direction.