(Puhua) Why So Serious??

From the Recorded Sayings of Linji:

 

One day Linji was sitting with Heyang and Muta by the stove in the monks’ hall. They were talking about Puhua, who was in the marketplace every day capering around acting crazy, and wondering whether he was an ordinary man or a sage.

Before their talk finished, Puhua came in, so Linji asked him, “Are you an ordinary man or a sage?” Puhua said, “You tell me, am I an ordinary man or a sage?” Linji then shouted.

Puhua pointed to them and said, “Heyang is a new bride, Muta is an old lady. Linji is a little pisser, but he has the eye.” Linji said, “You thief!” Puhua cried, “Thief! Thief!” and went out.

One day Puhua was in front of the monks’ hall, eating some raw vegetables. Linji saw him and said, “Just like a donkey.” Puhua made a donkey’s bray. Linji said, "You thief!" Puhua cried, “Thief! Thief!” and went out.

Every day in the marketplace Puhua would ring a bell and said, “If you come in light, I hit you in light; if you come in darkness, I hit you in darkness. If you come from all sides, I hit you like a whirlwind. If you come from emptiness, I hit you with blows one after another. ”

Linji sent his attendant [with instructions] to hold Puhua fast as soon as he saw him talk like this and say, "If I don't come in any of these ways, then what?” [When the attendant did this] Puhua pushed him away and said, “Tomorrow there’s a feast at the Temple of Great Compassion.”

The attendant returned and related this to Linji. Linji said, “I’d always doubted this guy.”

---

There was an experienced elder who came to study with Linji. He asked, “Should I bow or not?” Linji shouted. The elder then bowed.

Linji said, “A fine petty thief!” The elder said, “Thief! Thief!” then left. Linji said, “Better not mention having no concerns.”

Linji asked the head monk who was standing right there, “Was there fault or not?” The head monk said, “There was.” Linji said, “Was it the guest or the host who was at fault?” The head monk said, “Both were at fault.” Linji said, “Where did the fault lie?” The head monk then went out. Linji said, “Better not mention having no concerns.”

 

How's everyone doing today? Anyone concerned about anything? If so, ask yourself "why so serious?"

Do you think Puhua was just a clown? If so then you have no idea what it means to have no concerns.

It's ok; I don't know either.

(BING-🤡)

 

(Bonus Q: Who is Linji talking to in the last line? And who the hell was that elder?)

Submitted November 02, 2019 at 01:33AM by GreenSage45 https://ift.tt/2PGfv1A