Linji - Cleary Translations
[One day Linji went to visit Fenglin.] When he arrived, Fenglin asked, “Is there anything you want to ask about?”
THWACK!
Linji said, “Why cut a wound into the flesh?” Fenglin said, “The moon over the ocean is clear, without reflections, but the swimming fish is deluding himself.”
"You talk the talk but can you walk the walk?"
Linji said, "Since the moon over the ocean has no reflections, how could the swimming fish be deluded?”
Lmao! Zing!
Fenglin said, “Observing the wind, we know waves will arise. We play over the waters, wild sails billowing in the wind.” Linji said, “The solitary orb shines alone, rivers and mountains are still. At the sound of a spontaneous laugh, heaven and earth are startled.” Fenglin said, “Go ahead and light up heaven and earth with your tongue. Try to say a phrase that matches the potential of this moment so I can see [if you can].” Linji said, “When you meet a master swordsman on the road, you must show your sword. Don’t show your verses unless to a poet.” Fenglin stopped at that.
Two dragons meeting eye-to-eye; only then can they chill out.
Linji then gave a verse:
There’s nothing like the Great Path
Whichever way you go.
Even sparks struck from stone cannot overtake it.
Even lightning cannot penetrate it.
Guishan asked Yangshan, “Since even sparks struck from stone cannot overtake it, and even lightning cannot penetrate it, what have all the sages since antiquity used in order to function as [enlightened] people?” Yangshan said, “What do you mean, Master?” Guishan said, “There’s only words and talk, no real meaning at all.”
So many believe this. Guishan hangs out a hook.
Yangshan said, “Not so.” Guishan said, “Then what do you think?” Yangshan said, “Officially, not even a needle is allowed in, but unofficially even a horse and cart can get through.”
Zen and Calvinball have something in common.
Linji went to Jinniu. When Jinniu saw him coming, he held his staff horizontal, and crouched in the gateway. Linji hit the staff with his hand three times, then turned away and went back to the hall, where he sat in the first seat. When Jinniu came and saw him, he asked, “When guest and host meet, each has majestic deportment. Where do you come from that you are so impolite?” Linji said, “What did you say, old Master?” As Jinniu was about to open his mouth, Linji hit him. Jinniu then made as if to fall. Linji hit him again. Jinniu said, “This is not right for today.”
Grumpy dragons. Even if one eye doesn't meet the other, the second eyes are forever locked.
Guishan asked Yangshan, “Was there victory and defeat between these two venerable adepts or not?” Yangshan said, “If they win, they both win; if they lose, they both lose.”
There are no islands. The dragon is a hydra. The battle is a dance of the breath. The Great Path is the flow of the Golden Wind.
Submitted December 31, 2019 at 12:39AM by GreenSage45 https://ift.tt/2SHa57R
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