At Asian temples there are these Dog-like creatures, known as Foo Dogs, in the form of statues though sometimes as paintings, that are just outside of the temple entrance doors. These are gatekeepers, and the function of them is to ward off those with evil intentions and insincere desires.

Often is the case, that some people will unknowingly take on the role of a gatekeeper to intentionally become an obstacle for the seeker who must either go around them or through them to get inside the temple. What I have noticed is that those who unknowingly take on this position are they themselves still on the outside of the temple and know not what is beyond the doors themselves.

It is also true that sometimes the gate keeping is so overwhelming in that nobody can get past them, and the gatekeepers have great pride of that too. This can present a most difficult problem for the seeker, who either has to endure the gate keeping, or move along to a different gate.

Zen has a long tradition of testing the resolve, the character, and understanding of its disciples. How this testing is done all depend on where you go and who you meet. The testing can be subtle or direct and can be pleasant or frightening.

However, at times this process can be rather extreme gate-keeping driving away new seekers, only leaving a small cult-like club of gate-keepers remaining.

It is the task of the seeker to recognize the gate-keeping and determine if there is actually anything beyond them. Often is the case, the gate-keepers believe that there is nothing beyond them, and that the gate-keeping is the end-goal.

Gate-keeping is one of the many pitfalls and traps that seekers can fall into, often giving a sour taste to the path and the notion “All there is of this path are curmudgeons!”

Now, keeping in mind that the gate-keeper is often still on the outside of the temple, if not for years or decades. With persistence, dedication to the path, mindfulness and compassion the seeker can get through the gate-keeper to the temple door and through it. The goal is to not ‘save’ the Foo Dogs, just to get past them, if you can.

In my own situations, I have: ignored them, went around them, let them chew me up a bit where they get bored of me and move on, and attacked them in where they just back off and let me pass. Every situation is unique and there is no one right answer or way to pass.