Torooblog: Joshu schooling an anti-concept monk.

A monk asked, "What is the sphere in which distinctions do not apply?"(1)

Joshu said, "Come here."(2)

The monk said, "To go there is but the sphere in which distinctions apply. What is the sphere in which. thoughts do not apply?"(3)

Joshu thrust his hand forward and said, "What do you call this?"(4)

The monk said, "I call it a hand, Master. What do you call it?"(5)

Joshu said, "I use its various names and call it according to them."(6)

The monk said, "Without using its various names, what do you call it?"(7)

Joshu said, "If that is what you want, this is the sphere in which your distinction does not apply."(8)

The monk bowed in reverence.(9)

Joshu said, "Let me teach you the sphere in which distinctions apply." (10)

The monk asked, "What is it?"(11)

Joshu said, "The Buddha and Daruma are your teachers [in this sphere]."(12)

The monk said, "The Buddha and Daruma, the sages of old, have already said it all. What is the sphere in which distinctions do not apply?"(13)

Joshu raised his finger and said, "What do you call this?" (14)

For a while the monk was speechless. (15)

Joshu said, "Why don't you say it directly, to the point? Other than that, what is it that you doubt?" (16)

"Where can I go where concepts are not present?"
Joshu distinguishing 'here' and 'there'.
'Understanding Joshu asking him to move 'there' , closer to him, instead of where he was was to acknowledge the difference between 'here' and 'there' in context. The monk didn't want to do that anymore.
Is there a right answer? Why not just give your own? Why not describe what you see?
I think it is a stable answer, but the monks still wants to find a better answer. He doesn't think his answer is good enough.
Joshu understands the hand in many ways. Who doesn't? He calls it based on context.
Desperately searching for the elusive Zen answer! It cannot be simply a hand!
You don't have to call it anything.
The monk thinks language is a trap. It can be, but it isn't.
Why not use concepts instead of concepts using you? Joshu teaches how.
The monk's butt puckers in excited anticipation.
Ha! Was that a satisfying answer? What has the Buddha and Daruma to teach you?
The monks butt clenches. He doesn't like the answer. He must be entertained, damnit! Joshu didn't give him what he wanted! Waa! Waaa!
"If you don't like my answer, tell me yours."
Pure choking.
Why not be honest with what you see?

Submitted August 31, 2019 at 09:04PM by Pikkko https://ift.tt/2LcY46d

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