The Gateless Gate: Shuzan's Shippei

 

Case 43:

Shuzan Oshõ held up his shippei [staff of office] before his disciples and said, "You monks! If you call this a shippei, you oppose its reality.

If you do not call it a shippei, you ignore the fact.

Tell me, you monks, what will you call it?"

 

Mumon's Comment:

If you call it a shippei, you oppose its reality.

If you do not call it a shippei, you ignore the fact.

Words are not available; silence is not available.

Now, tell me quickly, what is it?

 

Mumon's Verse:

Holding up the shippei,

He takes life, he gives life.

Opposing and ignoring interweave.

Even Buddhas and patriarchs beg for their lives.

 

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^source

 

Submitted June 30, 2017 at 07:47PM by Namtaru420 http://ift.tt/2s9u3Ih