Huangbo's concealed shiv

The "sermons" we are regularly reminded of from Blofeld's efforts are not the only way to approach Huangbo. There have already been plenty of introductions to Huangbo from Pei Xiu's 791–864 point of view, but that is not the only point of view we have.

To awaken suddenly to the fact that your own Mind is the Buddha, that there is nothing to be attained or a single action to be performed - this is the Supreme Way. (Huangbo)

But how?

'Studying the Way’ is just a figure of speech [...] In fact, the Way is not something which can be studied. You must not allow this name [the Way] to lead you into forming a mental concept of a road. (Huangbo)

and

Pei Xiu presented Huángbò with a text he had written on his understanding of Chan.

Huángbò placed the text down without looking at and after a long pause asked, “Do you understand?”

Pei Xiu replied, “I don’t understand.”

Huángbò said, “If it can be understood in this manner, then it isn’t the true teaching. If it can be seen in paper and ink, then it’s not the essence of our order.”

and

You people are just like drunkards. I don’t know how you manage to keep on your feet in such a sodden condition. Why everyone will die laughing at you. It all seems so easy, so why do we have to live to see a day like this? Can’t you understand that in the whole Empire of the T’ang there are no ‘teachers of Zen’?”

A monk stepped forth and asked, “How can you say that? At this very moment, as all can see, we are sitting face to face with one who has appeared in the world to be a teacher of monks and a leader of men!”

Please note that I did not say there is no Zen. I merely pointed out that there are no teachers!

and

Those who hasten towards it [the Void] dare not enter, fearing to hurtle down through the void with nothing to cling to or to stay their fall. So they look to the brink and retreat

and

All who reach this gate fear to enter.” [To overcome this fear, one] must enter it with the suddenness of a knife-thrust.

Submitted March 03, 2018 at 11:26PM by rockytimber http://ift.tt/2oLTkba