If you want to find pure gold, you must see it through fire: The Man of Great Strength

Case 20 of The Mumonkan: The Man of Great Strength

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Shõgen Oshõ asked, "Why is it that a man of great strength does not lift his legs?"

And he also said, "It is not the tongue he speaks with."

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Mumon's Comment

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It must be said that Shõgen shows us all his stomach and intestines.

But alas, no one can appreciate him!

And even if someone could appreciate him, let him come to me, and I'll beat him severely.

Why?

If you want to find pure gold, you must see it through fire.

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Mumon's Verse

Lifting his leg, he kicks up the Scented Ocean;

Lowering his head, he looks down on the fourth Dhyana heaven.

There is no space vast enough for his body—

Now, somebody write the last line here.

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Wandering Ronin commentary and questions: Though an ocean would crash upon him, a man of great strength cannot be moved. Even two other men could try to toss him about, and not get him to lift a single leg. Flames could even rage all around him and blood could flow, yet he would remain steadfast and resolute. How could this be? What in the world could give the man of great strength his absolute power and resolve?

Yet again, it is through the Dharma that he has transcended. Not a single thing among the myriad things could do a single thing about him; how could they? Even though the myriad things could cause a maelstrom, that which is beyond all form will always remain unmoved. Yet if it is not the tongue he speaks with, how could this man of great strength offer a single word, and who would be there to hear him if he did?

Submitted June 06, 2019 at 10:43PM by WanderingRoninXIII http://bit.ly/2InW0FT