the wave is the wave

EXCERPT FROM YOU ARE HERE by THICH NHAT HANH

“the notion of death, of nothingness, is very dangerous. it makes people suffer a lot. in buddhist teaching nothingness is only a concept, and it is never applicable to reality. the buddha said, ‘when conditions are sufficient, the things manifests, and when they are not sufficient, the thing remains hidden.’ there is neither birth nor death. there is only manifestation, appearance. concepts like birth and death, being and nonbeing, are not applicable to reality. the wave on the water is free from birth and death. it is free from being and nonbeing. the wave is the wave.”