Blue Cliff Record Case 37: Ma Tsu's Assertions of Permutations and Denial

Pointer

In explaining the Dharma, there is neither explanation nor teaching; in listening to the Dharma, there is neither hearing nor attainment. Since explanation neither explains nor teaches, how can it compare to not explaining? Since listening neither hears nor attains, how can it compare to not listening? Still, no explaining and no listening still amount to something. As for all of you right here, listening to me explain here, how will you avoid this mistake? For those with the eye to pass through the barrier, as a test, I'm citing this old case: look!

 

Case

A monk asked Grand Master Ma, "Please, Teacher, going beyond the permutations of assertion and denial, directly point out to me the meaning of the coming from the West."

Master Ma said, "I'm tired today and can't explain for you. Go ask Chih Tsang."

When the monk asked Chih Tsang, Tsang said, "Why didn't you ask the Teacher? " The monk said, "The Teacher had me come here to ask you."

Tsang said, "I have a headache today and can't explain for you. Go ask Elder Brother Hai."

When the monk asked Elder Brother Hai (Pai Chang), Hai said, "At this point, after all, I don't understand."

When the monk related this to Grand Master Ma, Master Ma said, "Tsang's head is white, Hai's head is black."

 

Commentary

[T]he four basic propositions are: 'it exists,' 'it doesn't exist,' 'it neither exist nor doesn't exist,' and 'it both exists and doesn't exist.' When you depart from these four propositions, you cut off their hundred negations. But if you just occupy yourself making up theories, you won't recognize the point of the story--you'll be looking for your head without seeing it.

[...]

If you figure this by way of intellectual interpretation, then you would say that they were fooling the monk. Some say that is was all just buck-passing. Some say that all three knew the monk's question, and therefore they didn't answer. All such interpretations amount to clapping your hands over your eyes and putting poison into the excellent-flavored pure ghee of the Ancients.

[...]

People these days just go to the words to make their living. They say that white refers to merging in brightness, while black refers to merging in darkness. Just occupying themselves with pursuing their calculations, such people are far from knowing that the ancient Ma Tsu cuts off their intellectual faculties with a single line. You must go to the true lifeline and look for yourself before you can gain firm accord. Therefore Ma Tsu said, "With the last word you finally get to the impenetrable barrier." If you cut off the essential crossing place, you don't let profane or holy pass. If you discuss this matter, it's like having a sword pressing against your forehead--hesitate and you lose your body and your life. Again, it's said, "It's like hurling a sword into the sky--it's not a question of whether it reaches or not." Just go to the place of glistening clarity to understand. [...]

Submitted January 25, 2019 at 06:37AM by exitiumetsapientia http://bit.ly/2FY03ZM