The way of the Chan school just requires one to actually lose one’s original face

The way of the Chan school just requires one to actually lose one’s original face; only after that is it possible to enter in actively. Otherwise, everyone is a sprite cleaving to the grasses and trees. Deshan said, “I have been bringing up this matter for thirty years, but have never seen anyone who comes forth independent and free.” Master Yuanjian said, “Even if one comes forth independent and free, this is still a sprite cleaving to the grasses and trees.” Observe those two elders showing the essence of direct pointing; is there anything at all they give people to understand? Even the subtlety of self-realization, in the school of patchrobed monks, is still a shirt sticking to the skin. Only people of great attainment can approximate it. The spiritual source not being obscured is a fine strategy for all time. When you enter this school, don’t keep your mind on intellectual understanding. If there is the slightest subjective thought of ordinary or holy as yet not ended, you inevitably enter donkeys’ wombs, horses’ bellies. People of old hung a poisonous drum, just seeking someone who knew how to beat it. If you can beat it, you may uphold and extend the way of Chan.

The Chan master whose instructions are translated in this volume, known as Ying-an, was a disciple of Yuanwu and successor to Yuanwu’s heir Huqiu. He traveled widely as a student before meeting Yuanwu, and had extensive knowledge of the conditions of Chan teaching in his time. After his enlightenment he was invited to teach at no less than thirteen monasteries, and gained such respect for his teaching that he was sought out even by former abbots. According to Precious Lessons from the Chan Communities, the elder master Xuetang said that he respected Ying-an because he did not delight in gain or strive for fame, did not act agreeable and conciliatory for gain, did not put on a false face or use clever words, and was clearly enlightened and able to go or stay at will. According to his biographer, Ying-an was unremittingly diligent in his duties, still giving personal interviews when in his final illness. He passed away in 1163, in his sixty-first year.

Submitted October 19, 2019 at 02:49AM by atomicmustardseed https://ift.tt/2qriRem