The Mumonkan: Better emancipate your mind than your body; when the mind is emancipated, the body is free, when both body and mind are emancipated, even gods and spirits ignore worldly power.

The Mumonkan: Daitsû Chishõ Buddha [9th Case] 九　大通智勝

​

興陽讓和尚、因僧問、大通智勝佛、十劫坐道場、佛法不現前、不得成佛道時如何。

A monk asked Kõyõ Seijõ, "Daitsû Chishõ Buddha sat in zazen for ten kalpas and could not attain Buddhahood. He did not become a Buddha. How could this be?"

讓曰、其問甚諦當。

Seijõ said, "Your question is quite self-explanatory."

僧云、既是坐道場、爲甚麼不得成佛道。

The monk asked, "He meditated so long; why could he not attain Buddhahood?"

讓曰、爲伊不成佛。

Seijõ said, "Because he did not become a Buddha."

​

Mumon's Comment

無門曰、只許老胡知、不許老胡會。

I allow the barbarian's realization, but I do not allow his understanding.

凡夫若知、既是聖人。

When an ignorant man realizes it, he is a sage.

聖人若會、既是凡夫。

When a sage understands it, he is ignorant.

​

Mumon's Verse 頌曰

了身何似了心休 Better emancipate your mind than your body;

了得心□身不愁 When the mind is emancipated, the body is free,

若也身心倶了了 When both body and mind are emancipated,

神仙何必更封候 Even gods and spirits ignore worldly power.

_______________________________________________________________________

Commentary: Who here among us hasn't attained Buddhahood as of yet, and why? In what way can such a thing be attained? Do you understand what Buddahood is, and what it means to be like this? At this point, I believe that Buddahood is merely acceptance of the totality of all things, including the potential of being viewed by others as a delusional Zen devil. In truth, what could others really have to say on the matter that is your own mind, particularly if they haven't learned to listen beyond their own echoes in the valley?

To this case, Mumon explains: when both body and mind are emancipated, even gods and spirits ignore worldly power. What god or spirit can withstand the miraculous deeds of chopping wood and carrying water? They get cut in half with every stroke of the ax, and carried away in the maelstrom within your bucket... who can possibly argue against the ordinary way of things? Let fall mind, and do as you will. And as Foyan teaches, I always tell you that what is inherent in you is presently active and presently functioning, and need not be sought after, need not be put in order, need not be practiced or proven. All that is required is to trust it once and for all.

Submitted November 06, 2019 at 08:03PM by WanderingRoninXIII https://ift.tt/2PPHwDQ