Wayfarer Changqing Leng

Wayfarer Changqing Leng, usually studied simply by sticking ‘death and life’ on his forehead, wearing out seven mats by sitting.

He first called on Lingyun and asked, “What is the great meaning of Buddhism?” Lingyun said, “Before the business of the donkey is done, the business of the horse comes up.” Later he related this to Xuefeng; Xuefeng said, “Aren’t you from Suzhou?” Changqing said, “How could I not know I’m from Suzhou?” Xuefeng related this to Xuansha; Xuansha said, “Perhaps his affinity is not with you; send him to me and I’ll talk to him.” Changqing went to Xuansha and related the forego foregoing story. Xuansha said, “You are Wayfarer Leng; how can you not understand?” Leng said, “I don’t know what Lingyun meant by what he said.” Xuansha said, “It’s just Wayfarer Leng—you don’t need to seek outside.” Leng said, “Why do you talk this way—I cannot but know my own name. Please explain the principle.” Xuansha said, “You are from Suzhou, I am from Fuzhou—how can you not understand?” Leng said, “I really don’t understand. Please explain.” Xuansha said, “Haven’t I told you?” Leng said, “I came expressly to ask you to explain for me—don’t tease me this way.” Xuansha said, “Do you hear the sound of the drum?” Leng said, “I cannot fail to recognize the sound of a drum.” Xuansha said, “If you hear the sound of the drum, it’s just you.” Leng said, “I don’t understand.” Xuansha said, “For now, go have breakfast, then come back.” Leng had breakfast, then went back and asked the master to explain. Xuansha said, “You haven’t had breakfast.” Leng said, “Please explain—don’t tease me. I’m going to leave for now.” Xuansha said, “When you came, what road did you come by?” Leng said, “I came by Damu Road.” Xuansha said, “When you go, you’ll also go by Damu Road. How can you say I’m teasing you?” Later, when he was with Xuefeng, one day when he rolled up a screen he was greatly enlightened. He said in a verse, “Extraordinary, extraordinary! Rolling up the screen, I see the whole world. If anyone asks me what religion I understand, I’ll pick up a whisk and strike.”

Later on he instructed an assembly saying, “If you bump into companions on the Way and associate with them, the task of a lifetime’s study is done. Whenever you seek, you must defy deathand make light of life, making them a single concern which you set before you. Suddenly, as in my case, the bottom of the bucket will fall out, and you will surely be joyful and lively. You have to give it long-term effort before you attain it.”

https://www.amazon.com/Measuring-Tap-Chan-Buddhist-Classic-ebook/dp/B07RYFN7JM

Submitted August 31, 2019 at 05:23PM by atomicmustardseed https://ift.tt/2LmWE7S