The Blue Cliff Record: The monk asked, "He meditated so long; why could he not attain Buddhahood?"

The Blue Cliff Record Case 9: Daitsû Chishõ Buddha

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A monk asked Kõyõ Seijõ, "Daitsû Chishõ Buddha sat in zazen for ten kalpas and could not attain Buddhahood. He did not become a Buddha. How could this be?"

Seijõ said, "Your question is quite self-explanatory."

The monk asked, "He meditated so long; why could he not attain Buddhahood?"

Seijõ said, "Because he did not become a Buddha."

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Mumon's Comment

I allow the barbarian's realization, but I do not allow his understanding.

When an ignorant man realizes it, he is a sage.

When a sage understands it, he is ignorant.

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Mumon's Verse

Better emancipate your mind than your body;

When the mind is emancipated, the body is free,

When both body and mind are emancipated,

Even gods and spirits ignore worldly power.

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Wandering Ronin commentary and questions: No worldly practices can reach it entirely, and no book-learning can help you to understand it in full. What in the world is one to do? There is truly nothing to attain, there is truly nothing to seek. Where do you expect to find the Dharma other than right where you are? Furthermore, where do you expect to keep it if you somehow find it and try to hold on? Stop seeking elsewhere, stop asking from others. Who in the world would give you such a treasure?

Submitted June 01, 2019 at 10:59PM by WanderingRoninXIII http://bit.ly/2IpvOL9