Zen is not words or actions, zen is anything that triggers the seeing of “one’s own true nature.” Zen masters are just people who have seen their “own true nature” and afterwards, focus on it. When they do, zen spontaneously manifests in their words and actions.

It’s easy to follow around Joshu and say “this is zen” and “that is zen.” It’s all words and actions. His are special, perhaps, because he has the ability to focus on his own true nature, and when he does so, his zen spontaneously manifests in words and actions which are sharp like arced lightning.

If you spend enough time watching the spontaneous manifestation of zen, it might trigger you to see your own true nature as well, as your brain connects all the clues and arrives at some kind of blazing insight.

Here’s some sayings of Joshu, what is he focusing on in order to spontaneously manifest such words and actions?

36:

Someone asked, "The universal truth—what is it?"

Joshu said, "Heaven protect me from the devil."

38

A monk asked, "What is the essence of essences?"

Joshu said, "How long have you been essencing yourself up?"

The monk said, "I have been concerned with essence for a long time."

Joshu said, "He is lucky to have met me. The fool was almost essenced out.”

43

Someone asked, "To be devoid of discriminative knowledge—what is it like?"

Joshu said, "What are you talking about.”

44

A monk asked, "What does it mean, 'Our founder came from the west'?"

Joshu stood up.

The monk said, "So that's what it means."

Joshu said, "I haven't said anything yet."

47

A monk asked,"The word of Joshu — what is it?"

Joshu said, "There is not even half a word."

The monk said, "Master, are you not here?"

Joshu said, "I am not a word."

What is Joshu focusing on in all these sayings which imparts him with such lightning spontaneity and conviction in his words as they manifest in conversation?

Quotes from “The Sayings of Joshu.”

Submitted June 13, 2019 at 11:44PM by chadpills http://bit.ly/2WFUyDG