Deshan 德山宣鑒
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Pin-Yin: Déshān Xuānjiàn
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Wade-Giles: Te-shan Hsuan-chien
* Japanese: Tokusan Senkan
Deshan Xuanjian lived in Tang Dynasty China in what is now the Sichuan region. As mentioned in Case 28 of the Mumonkan, Deshan is the Dharma Heir of Longtan Chongxin (Ryutan).
Many cases involving Deshan can be found involving Deshan in the Mumonkan, the Blue Cliff Record, and the Book of Serenity along with mentions in the Record of Linji and more!
He himself is the Dharma Ancestor of the infamous Yunmen and Foyan (among many others).
The story of Deshan's moment of realization can be found in case 28 of the Mumonkan and in Yuanwu's commentary in case 4 of the Blue Cliff Record. The the story of his exposure to the "Southern Devils" and his subsequent journey to meet Guishan is a personal favorite, so I can't help but share the highlights here:
Originally, Te Shan (Te Shan is the Wade-Giles spelling of Deshan) was a lecturing monk, expounding the Diamond Cutter Scripture in western Shu.
According to what it says in that teaching, in the process of the knowledge attained after diamond-like concentration, one studies the majestic conduct of Buddhas for a thousand aeons and studies the refined pratices of the Buddhas for ten thousand aeons before finally fulfilling1 Buddhahood. On the other hand, the "southern devils"2 at this time were saying "Mind itself is Buddha."
Consequently Te Shan became very incensed and went traveling on foot, carrying some commentaries, he went straight to the South to destroy this crew of devils.3 You see how he got aroused [in the Case] what a fierce keen fellow he was.
When he first got to Li Chou, he met an old woman selling fried cakes by the roadside; he put down his commentaries to buy some refreshment to lighten his mind.
The old woman said, "What is that you're carrying?"
Te Shan said, "Commentaries on the Diamond Cutter Scripture."
The old woman said, "I have a question for you: if you can answer it I'll give you some fried cakes to refresh your mind; if you can't answer, you'll have to go somewhere else to buy."
Te Shan said "Just ask." The old woman said, "The Diamond Cutter Scripture says, 'Past mind can't be grasped, present mind can't be grasped, future mind can't be grasped': which mind does the learned monk desire to refresh?" [recall that Yuanwu said that Te Shan went to buy refreshment to "lighten his mind"]
Te Shan was speechless. The old woman directed him to go call on Lung T'an (Pinyin: Longtan / Japanese: Ryutan).
Just look at this cocky traveler! However, you can't say he doesn't know when he's beat! Let's see what old man Lung'tan makes out of him:
As soon as Te Shan crossed the threshold, he said, "Long have I heard of Lung T'an ( [Literally translated as] 'Dragon Pond'), but now that I've arrived here, there's no pond to see and no dragon appears."
Master Lung T'an came out from behind a screen and said, "You have really arrived at Lung T'an." Te Shan bowed and withdrew. During the night Te Shan entered Lun T'an's room and stood in attendance till late at night. Lung T'an said, "Why don't you go?" Te Shan bade farewell, lifted up the curtain, and went out; he saw that it was dark outside, so he turned around and said, "It's dark outside."
Lung T'an lit a paper lantern and handed it to Te Shan; as soon as Te Shan took it, Lung T'an blew it out
Te Shan was vastly and greatly enlightened. Immediately he bowed to Lung T'an, who said, "What have you seen that you bow?"
Te Shan answered, "From now on I will never doubt what's on the tongues of the venerable teaching masters of the world."
Quick to learn, quick to burn! The very next day, Deshan takes his diamond sutra and burns it in front of the hall of monks!
Case 4 of the Blue Cliff Record
(Setcho is the Japanese transliteration of Xuedou who adds his own notes to this case. Likewise, Tokusan is the Japanese name for Deshan)
Tokusan came to Isan's temple. Carrying his pilgrim's bundle under his arm, he crossed the lecture hall from east to west and from west to east; then, staring around, he said, "Mu, Mu," and went out.
Setcho: It is seen through
Tokusan reached the gate but then said to himself, "I should not be in a hurry." So he dressed formally and entered a second time to have an interview. Isan was sitting in his place. Tokusan, holding up his kneeling cloth, said, "Osho!"1 Isan made as if to take up his hossu2 . Then Tokusan gave a "katsu" shout, swung his sleeves, and went out.
Setcho: It is seen through
Tokusan, with his back turned on the lecture hall, put on his straw sandals and went off. In the evening, Isan asked the chief monk, "The new arrival, where is he?" The chief monk said, "When he went out he turned is back on the lecture hall, put on his sandals, and went away." Isan said, "Someday that fellow will go to an isolated mountaintop3 , establish a hermitage, and scold the Buddhas and abuse the patriarchs."
Setcho: Frost on top of snow!
Notes:
- Osho: a term of respect applied to a teacher
- hossu: a stick or baton that serves as a symbol of the teacher's authority. Sometimes used by the teacher when lecturing. (I wonder if the tradition of things such as these and the placement of where the teacher sits were not so much given as objects to show honor but moreso because they didn't have photographs or such for a visitor to recognize which person there was the person they were looking for)
- isolated mountaintop: Sekida says that this is a reference to Mount Sumeru - a metaphorical mountain in the center of the universe. My interpretation is that this is meant as a metaphor for centered and mighty isolation
Deshan is fearless, but becomes even more sly in his older years. I'm sure one of you will tell us a thing or two of the famous case of Deshan Holds His Bowls
Let's do as Linji suggests and whack him back with his own staff!
If I may, I'd like to try something new out this month.
In the comment section here, I encourage you all to share something that relates to something Deshan said or a story involving him that you found moving, inspirational, insightful, or just really neat or fun. Feel free to expound on the example in whatever manner you find most appropriate.
I think many of us here guard our interpretations, and I think being more open about such would create for some interesting conversation.
Submitted January 12, 2019 at 12:28AM by NegativeGPA http://bit.ly/2RjV9NH
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