For the archery referred to in the Zen sect, the bow and arrow is an offensive weapon, and in the process, the teacher even deliberately puts pressure on the students. Similarly, for a camera, some people describe it as a shotgun. When we pick up the camera and wait for the shutter release to press, it generates the same pressure, which is invasive as well. So do the “sharp warning” in Zen. As an important propaganda carrier of Zen sect, why does it pressure the students so violently? What is the connection wherein? These are what we want to know “Sudden enlightenment” and “gradual enlightenment” are long-standing issues debated by Zen followers. The sudden enlightenment herein is literally defined as “instant enlightenment”; the gradual enlightenment means always take care of one’s own state of mind and resist the external temptation by cultivating oneself diligently, that is to say wipe off the dust bit by bit, and finally see the nature. Both are reasonable and either of them has its own supporters. However, if we try another approach to look at it, from the perspective of photography, the purpose of photography is to take a heart touching photo, and such a photo could be taken by pressing the shutter button in an instant after unintentionally picking up a camera, or patiently wait, guard a pass and choose carefully and hence a good photo. In this way, it seems like both are right; nevertheless, pressing the shutter and taking a good photo is absolutely instantaneous, whilst the process can be done gradually. Furthermore, reality never hides, it is not even obscured, only invisible. Therefore, by discoursing on such photography issues, we can see whether the “sudden enlightenment” and the “gradual enlightenment” of Zen work or not, through dialectic. What is the enlightenment argued by Zen? Is something disappearing or being blinded? Photography seems to have the situation likewise. Photography faithfully “re-display” the object; however, Susan Sontag said: “Reality hides…. No matter what the camera records, it somewhat reveals something.” But reality never hides; nonetheless, why does it hide? and why does the reality appear when the camera makes a recording? Zen has a “repetition method” to guide students, that is, the teacher merely repeats students’ questions when they ask questions, using this method to render the students opportunities for enlightenment. In this way, we would like to know eagerly what philosophical theory is. Why can the re-display of photography or the Zen teacher's re-display of students' questions are able to reveal the reality and give opportunities for Zen followers to enlighten? The Author desires to reason out some working modes of Zen by using its understanding of photography. The views on daily life of Zen and Confucianism are much differe
