The Real Shobogenzo: Gushan's teaching can't contain it

Dahui's Real Original, the First Shobogenzo:

Now what about you—can you actually use a single word from the twelve-part teachings?  Can you actually use a single phrase from the sayings of the adepts?  If it is the twelve-part teachings, which teaching are you in?  If it is the sayings of the adepts, in what saying will we find you?

Therefore it is said that the twelve-part teachings cannot express it, ordinary and sacred cannot contain it, the passage of time cannot move it, verbal expression cannot cover it. 

Talk like this is generally for people who’ve gotten their heads stuck in doctrine, to free them up; but if you talk this way to someone who’s never given a hint of that, he’ll grab you and ask why you’re babbling nonsense—and you can’t blame him. You must be very discerning.  Do not fail to distinguish the auspicious from the ominous.  If anyone can distinguish, come forth and demonstrate it.

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ewk note: Come forth and demonstrate it. Mostly the people claiming to study Zen these days who write books and wear outfits and give lectures can't demonstrate it, and don't bother to. They console people, or exhort people to virtues, but that's not a demonstration. Those sorts of people can't even read a book in which a demonstration was recorded. Come forth!

Submitted February 27, 2019 at 06:52AM by ewk https://ift.tt/2Nx4Z9N