Meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha.

What it means

Linji is not talking about violence; he means cut every attachment, even to the holiest image in your head. Any idol you cling to stands between you and seeing for yourself. Don't let even good ideas become cages.

The source

"Meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha." Linji said it in Record of Linji, instructing the assembly. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"逢佛殺佛、逢祖殺祖"

Original Chinese, Record of Linji, instructing the assembly. Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

The Zen masters (6th–13th century). Bodhidharma, Huineng, Linji, Zhaozhou, Yunmen, Wumen and Dogen: the Chan and Zen teachers whose sayings, koans and records shaped the school of sudden awakening. Our lines are translated from the Chinese and Japanese originals.

Questions

What does "Meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha." mean?

Linji is not talking about violence; he means cut every attachment, even to the holiest image in your head. Any idol you cling to stands between you and seeing for yourself. Don't let even good ideas become cages.

Who said "Meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha."?

Linji (6th–13th century). Source: Record of Linji, instructing the assembly.

What is the original Chinese?

逢佛殺佛、逢祖殺祖. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha." (Linji, Record of Linji, instructing the assembly, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/meet-the-buddha-kill-the-buddha