The Buddha always told his disciples not to waste their time and energy
in metaphysical speculation. Whenever he was asked a metaphysical
question, he remained silent. Instead, he directed his disciples toward
practical efforts. Questioned one day about the problem of the infinity
of the world, the Buddha said, "Whether the world is finite or infinite,
limited or unlimited, the problem of your liberation remains the same."
Another time he said, "Suppose a man is struck by a poisoned arrow and
the doctor wishes to take out the arrow immediately. Suppose the man
does not want the arrow removed until he knows who shot it, his age, his
parents, and why he shot it. What would happen? If he were to wait until
all these questions have been answered, the man might die first." Life
is so short. It must not be spent in endless metaphysical speculation
that does not bring us any closer to the truth.
- Thich Nhat Hanh, in /Zen Keys/
from /Everyday Mind,/ edited by Jean Smith, a /Tricycle/ book
