The Way of the Birds

(From 'Zen and Zen Classics' Vol. 2 by R.H. Blyth pg. 94-5)

A monk said to Dongshan, "You always tell learners to take the Way of the Birds; what is this Way of the Birds?" 1

Dongshan said, "You meet nobody on it." 2

The monk then asked, "How can we go on this Way?" 3

Dongshan answered, "By egolessness, attending to each step as it comes." 4

The monk said. "Isn't the birds Way the same as one's original nature" 5

Dongshan said, "O monk, why do you get everything upside-down," 6

The monk asked, "What is this place where people get things upside-down?" 7

Dongshan said, "If there were no topsy-turviness how could a servant become a lord?" 8

The monk asked, "What is our original nature?" 9

Dongshan answered, "Not taking the Way of the Birds. 10

Makolini interpretation

1. The Way of the Birds is to be free.
2. Be free, fly, do as you see fit - nobody can tell you how.
3. How do I flap my wings? / How do I be myself?
4. Flap and do as you need to according to the situation at hand.
5. The monk overcomplicates, and seeks a right answer. He wants to define a certain Way so he can achieve his contrived goal of realising his original nature.
6. Dongshan shuts him down, you're not flapping, you're floundering and confusing yourself.
7. What place am I in and why do I flounder? Why is there floundering?
8. If there was no floundering you wouldn't be able to fly. Cause and effect.
9. The monk asks again.
10. Dongshan's answer of "Not taking the Way of the Birds" contradicts his original statement. Huh?! It's because he's talking about a different Way, the context has changed. Originally, Dongshan spoke of a Way simple and free. Look! The second was pointing to what the Monk added to it, his Way of the Bird, it was not the same as Dongshan's - he turned it into something else in order to gain something from it.

*flys away*

Submitted October 30, 2019 at 04:34PM by Makolini https://ift.tt/2NnZdI3