In times of apparent turmoil and chaos in the forum, what can be learned from One Finger Zen?

Nineteenth Case of The Blue Cliff Record: Chu Ti's One-Finger Ch'an

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POINTER

When one speck of dust arises, the great earth is contained therein; when a single flower blooms, the world arises. But before the speck of dust is raised, before the flower opens, how will you set eyes on it? Therefore it is said, "It's like cutting a skein of thread: when one strand is cut, all are cut. It's like dyeing a skein of thread: when one strand is dyed, all are dyed."

This very moment you should take all complications and cut them off. Bring out your own family jewels and respond everywhere, high and low, before and after, without missing. Each and every one will be fully manifest. If you're not yet like this, look into the text below.

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CASE

Whenever anything was asked,¹ Master Chu Ti would just raise one finger.²

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NOTES

1. What news is there? Dull-witted teacher!
2. This old fellow too would cut off the tongues of everyone on earth. When it's warm, all heaven and earth are warm; when it's cold, all heaven and earth are cold. He snatches away the tongues of everyone on earth.

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Wandering Ronin commentary and questions: The Zen forum is in great turmoil, raging in wild arguments and heated debate! Tumultuous chaos and civil unrest... traitors rise and demons prey; factions seeking to gain clear victories as the sands run red with the blood of the fallen... or could there something just below the storm-swept surface of the Great Ocean?

I too am wild with bloodlust, dashing about here and there to cut down my perceived enemies in the fray, and lifting up my allies where I can. Call it a weakness of ego if you will; I have no concerns on the matter of what you perceive. I return, and remember something else both far away and close at the same time... looking for guidance, I turn to the Blue Cliff Record for solace and wisdom. What is this supposed 'One Finger Ch'an', and what can be learned from it?

Hold up one finger, and all arguments and turmoil fall to quietude. Hold up one finger, and the storm subsides and abates. Hold up one finger, pointing in all directions at once for those with dragon eyes. Hold up one finger, relinquish all concepts and remember the Way to the Dharma. What is there just before the storm even has a chance to arise? What is there before the duality of peace and war? What is just beyond, but somehow still through and through? Again and again the masters tell you, One Mind. Are you listening?

Submitted June 02, 2019 at 09:26PM by WanderingRoninXIII http://bit.ly/2QK7irO