Core of the Matter

Joshu went to the lecture hall and preached to the people: "This matter is absolutely clear. Even the greatest ones cannot break away from it. When I was at Master Isan's, a monk said, 'What does it mean, "Our founder came from the west" [Le., what is the meaning of Zen]?' Isan said, 'Bring me that chair.' If one is a master, this is how one must relate to the people, through the core of the matter." "If one is a master, this is how one must relate to the people, through the core of the matter." At that, a monk asked, "What does it mean, 'Our founder came from the west'?" Joshu said, "The oak tree in the front yard." The monk said, "Please do not show the people the object." JoshiI said, "I will not." The monk repeated his question: "What does it mean, 'Our founder came from the west'?" Joshu said, "The oak tree in the front yard."

• Radical Zen: The Sayings of Joshu - Hoffman Translation, Case 12

Translator's Note : "The oak tree in the front yard" must have been what Joshu happened to see when asked about "the meaning of Zen." The monk suggests that Josh'II is taken in by the object in sight. But Joshu's answer was simply that moment's situation. At another time. in another place, it might be a "pen" (right now in my hand) or any other "here, now."

Question : What do you think of Hoffman's interpretation of the case? How well do we, those participating in a digital sangha, relate to each other through the core of the matter? What is stopping us?

Submitted February 16, 2018 at 04:06AM by kamasii http://ift.tt/2HljYjO