Mumon Ekai [1183-1260]: If you clearly understand this and realize how exacting Unmon was in his method, and what made the monk err in his speaking, you are qualified to be a teacher of heaven and earth.

The Gateless Gate: A Mistake in Speaking [39th Case]

A monk said to Unmon, "The brilliance of the Buddha silently illuminates the whole universe. . ."

But before the could finish the verse, Unmon said, "Aren't those the words of Chõetsu the Genius?"

"Yes, they are," answered the monk.

"You have slipped up in your speaking," Unmon said.

Afterward, Shishin Zenji brought up the matter and said, "Tell me, at what point did the monk err in his speaking?"

​

Mumon's Comment

If you clearly understand this and realize how exacting Unmon was in his method, and what made the monk err in his speaking, you are qualified to be a teacher of heaven and earth.

If you are not yet clear about it, you are far from saving yourself.

​

Mumon's Verse

A line cast in the rapids,

The greedy will be caught.

Before you start to open your mouth,

Your life is already lost!

__________________________________________________________________

Commentary and questions: At what point does learning lead to being? At what point does being lead to saving yourself? With learning there is a necessity for emulation, but with continued emulation can come the traps of an intellectual lack of integrity. A paper tiger can't kill, and an imaginary dragon can't take flight.

If the Way is to put a stop to conceptual thinking, how much less so the taking up of the concepts of others! And if Zen itself is not based on the written word, how much less so in merely copying the speech patterns and word-based actions of others as well. Originality and being true to oneself is authenticity, and spontaneity and the absolute reality of the underlying principle is the Way.

Submitted January 31, 2020 at 06:37PM by _WanderingRonin_ https://ift.tt/36IUfgB