Transmit the Dharma

We hear of transmitting the dharma, but what does that mean? What is transmitted and how? Here’s huangpo

1. Q: To whom did the Patriarch silently transmit the Dharma?

A: No Dharma was transmitted to anybody.

Q: Then why did the Second Patriarch ask Bodhidharma for the transmission of Mind?

A: If you hold that something was transmitted, you imply that the Second Patriarch reached Mind by SEEKING, but no amount of seeking can ever lead to Mind; so we TALK of only transmitting Mind to you. If you really GET something, you will find yourself back on the wheel of life and death!

So um, nothing because there’s nothing to get. Well. That can’t be right. What is it zen masters are doing and why do they talk so much then?

Let’s see what else we got. Let’s head over to the Blue Cliff Record.

BCR 12

The sword that kills people, the sword that brings people to life: this is the standard way of high antiquity and the essential pivot for today as well. If you discuss killing, you don’t harm a single hair; if you discuss giving life, you lose your body and life. Therefore it is said, “The thousand sages have not transmitted the single transcendental path; students toil over appearances like monkeys grasping at reflections.” Tell me, since it is not transmitted, why then so many complicated public cases? Let those with eyes try to explain.

Echoing what we just read by huangpo. Nothing transmitted. What else?

BCR 38

At the government headquarters in Ying Chou, Feng Hsueh entered the hall and said, 1 “The Patriarchal Masters’ Mind Seal is formed like the workings of the Iron Ox: 2 when taken away, the impression remains; 3 when left there, then the impression is ruined.

Which i think is clarified by BCR 12

What’s the reason? Words and speech are just vessels to convey the Path. Far from realizing the intent of the Ancients, people just search in their words; what grasp can they get on it? Haven’t you seen how an Ancient said, “Originally the Path is wordless; with words we illustrate the Path. Once you see the Path, the words are immediately forgotten.” To get to this point, you must first go back to your own original state.

So, transmitting the dharma appears to be a bunch of talking and once the message is recieced, nothing Is kept or ruins the impression.

Submitted February 11, 2019 at 09:23AM by Pistaf http://bit.ly/2SnojvQ