If you have no vexations or obstructions in your mind, then you are already enlightened. You have already seen your self-nature. Just because it seems you have no emotional disturbances doesn't mean you have no vexation.

STUDENT:

What if art becomes a method? Can you become so involved in the work that you experience the state of no-self?

SHIH-FU:

Almost impossible. If you become completely absorbed in your art, then art becomes the totality of your world and your life. You may think you have no self, but you are still attached to art.

STUDENT:

So then what is the meaning of the third Bodhisattva Vow?

SHIH-FU:

The third vow says there are limitless approaches to Dharma. The idea is that a bodhisattva will learn limitless Dharma approaches for the sake of helping sentient beings. It is not for the sake of the practitioner. For example, if someone is only interested in dancing, a bodhisattva would learn dancing in order to help the person understand Buddhadharma.