If you’re unable to arouse the Doubt when practicing Zen, you may fall into self-indulgent and wild ways. Meeting others, you sing, dance, and carry on. By the river and under trees you recite poetry, prattle and laugh. Swaggering about busy places regardless of others, you convince yourself that you’ve resolved the great matter. When you see a worthy teacher open a meditation hall, establish rules for the sangha, do zazen, chant the name of the Buddha and other virtuous acts, you let out a scornful laugh and curse him. Since you’re unable to truly practice, you disturb others who are. Not knowing how to truly recite the sutras, worship or confess your faults, you hinder others who can. Unable to truly inquire, you interrupt those who do. You can’t open your own meditation hall, so you interfere with those who have. Unable to give a real Dharma talk, you interrupt those who do. Seeing a worthy teacher present a Dharma talk in front of a large congregation, you think up complicated questions and indulge in silly exchanges, giving a Zen shout or a slap. The worthy teacher recognizes such things as no more than ghostly spirits playing games. If he does not indulge you, however, you spread groundless rumors: “He doesn’t understand the Dharma principle – what a pity!” This is your wavering mind obsessed; if you continue this way, you will fall into demonic paths and commit serious offenses. Once your good karma is exhausted, you’ll fall into the hell of incessant suffering. “Even good intentions have bad results.” Alas! (Emphasis is mine.)
— Chinese Master Boshan (1575-1630)
Submitted June 21, 2017 at 10:42PM by Dhammakayaram http://ift.tt/2rCSY7b
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