一指頭禪

The one finger-tip contemplation used by a certain monk to bring to another a conception of the universe. Also a parable in the 楞伽經 <Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra>. The Chan or Zen sect 禪宗 regard the (sa) sūtras merely as indicators, i.e. pointing fingers, their real object being only attained through personal mediation.