What is an authentic Zen attitude toward the Buddhist sutras? Popular misunderstandings of Zen perceive that Zen denies any value to the written word. Grounding itself on a lengthy discussion of the fundamental human problem (dualistic perception) and its resolution (satori) in Zen, this article argues that understanding the Buddhist sutras as merely useless or as instruments in the attainment of satori involves an inauthentic Zen attitude toward those sutras. The Buddhist sutras are, however, a nondualistically dual “Self-Expression of the Buddha-Nature.” This approach is in accord with the Middle Way of the Buddha and an authentic Zen attitude toward the Buddhist sutras.