--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In transmitting the dharma, there is…" description: "\"In transmitting the dharma, there is neither explanation nor teaching; there is neighter hearing nor attainment. Since explanations never really explai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/john-daido-loori-22888_able_in-transmitting-the-dharma-there-is-neit_49164.jpg" --- # In transmitting the dharma, there is neither explanation… ![“In transmitting the dharma, there is neither explanation nor teaching; there is neighter hearing nor attainment. Since explanations never really explains, nor are they able to teach, why talk about it? Since listening isn't really hearing or attaining anything, then why listen? But say, since it…” quote by John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/john-daido-loori-22888_able_in-transmitting-the-dharma-there-is-neit_49164.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/john-daido-loori-22888_able_in-transmitting-the-dharma-there-is-neit_49164.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/john-daido-loori-22888_able_in-transmitting-the-dharma-there-is-neit_49164.jpg) > “In transmitting the dharma, there is neither explanation nor teaching; there is neighter hearing nor attainment. Since explanations never really explains, nor are they able to teach, why talk about it? Since listening isn't really hearing or attaining anything, then why listen? But say, since it cannot be explained or heard, how can you enter the Way? But down the bagagge, take of the blinders, and see for yourself that this very place is the valley of the endless spring, this very body is the body of the universe. At such a time, who is it who can accompany this?” [John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage asserts that true understanding of the dharma transcends verbal explanation, conventional teaching, and ordinary perception; it is realized directly through embodied awareness of the self as part of the universal whole. **In simple terms:** Direct experience of reality beyond concepts. Key Takeaway Insight arises from non‑dual presence. Themes non-duality direct realization transcendence of language embodied awareness spiritual awakening Mood mysterious reverent Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - meditative practice - spiritual retreat - contemplative study Key Concepts dharmic transmission mindfulness self‑identity Practical Applications - guiding students toward experiential insight Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to “see for yourself” in everyday life? - How can one balance the need for guidance with the call to direct experience? A Different Perspective One could argue that skillful teaching and listening are necessary scaffolds for beginners before direct experience becomes possible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Dharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dharma/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [But down the bagagge, take of the blinders, and see for yourself that this very place is the valley of the endless spring, this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daido-loori/but-down-the-bagagge-take-of-the-blinders-and-see-for-yourself-that/) [John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) > [People in great groups have blinders on. 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In wu-wei, the mind is silenced and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daido-loori/in-the-action-of-no-action-wu-wei-a-cardinal-aspect-of-the-true/) [John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) > [Zen is a special transmission outside the scriptures,With no reliance on words and letters.A direct pointing to the human mind,And the realization of enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daido-loori/zen-is-a-special-transmission-outside-the-scriptures-with-no-reliance/) [John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) > [Words and ideas are a description of reality, silence is a negation of reality. 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It has already happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daido-loori/the-future-doesn-t-exist-it-hasn-t-happened-yet-the-past-doesn-t/) [John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) > [“There is no gap between us and the process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daido-loori/there-is-no-gap-between-us-and-the-process/) [John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) > [“The zazen I speak of is not learning meditation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daido-loori/the-zazen-i-speak-of-is-not-learning-meditation/) [John Daido Loori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) [Explore all 26 John Daido Loori quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daido-loori/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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