Joshu's Three Turning Words: A gold Buddha does not pass through a furnace, a wood Buddha does not pass through fire, a mud Buddha does not pass through water.

The Blue Cliff Record: Chao Chou's Three Turning Words [96th case]

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CASE

Chao Chou expressed three turning words to his community.¹ ("A gold Buddha does not pass through a furnace; a wood Buddha does not pass through fire; a mud Buddha does not pass through water.")

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NOTES

1. What did he say? The three parts are not the same.

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Wandering Ronin commentary and questions: As is the case with many of the most famous sayings and quotes from Zen, there is quite a lot of knowledge and depth to be found here upon further investigation. It may seem rather simple at first, but there are quite a few ways that one could approach this case in order to learn something deeper from it. One way is to see it as an instruction for Zen students regarding practice itself. As Huangbo Xiyun teaches, we are to put a stop to our conceptual thinking. Applying that instruction to this case, perhaps one could come to the understanding that relying on the particularly radiant 'golden Buddha' of conceptual thinking wont pass through the furnace.

A wooden Buddha, which would be carved by hand and therefore strongly signifies form, reminds me of those who rely too heavily on concentrated efforts or form-bound practices such as meditation. As we also know, practices that are developed through forms fall into the realm of worldly treasures, and simply wont do in order to cross Mumon's Gateless Gate, which actually happens to be quite the furnace. Then we have the mud Buddha, which at once reminds me of those who have come to the realization that mountains are no longer mountains. Once it is realized that forms have no inherent meanings, one must be vigilant against becoming an easily dissolved 'mud buddha' that may dwell a bit too much on the other side of dualism, which is rejecting the world and clinging steadfastly to oneness.

All in all, I think that the case of Joshu's Three Turning Words really teaches students of Zen to not rely too heavily on specific practices, or affix too much value to any particular way or concepts found along the Way. The less one relies on any one particular form, direction or practice, the more chance of finally passing through the furnace of the Gateless Gate.

Submitted June 18, 2019 at 07:36PM by WanderingRoninXIII http://bit.ly/2IRT2cO