The Buddha’s Flower
Once when the World-Honoured One, in ancient times, was upon Mount Grdhrakuta, he held up a flower before the congregation of monks. At this time all were silent, but the Venerable Kasyapa only smiled. The World-Honoured One said, “I have the Eye of the True Law, the secret Essence of Nirvana, the Formless Form, the Mysterious Law-Gate. Without relying upon words and letters, beyond all teaching as a special transmission, I pass all this on to Mahakasyapa.
The Commentary:
Golden-faced Kudon impudently forced the good people into depravity. Advertising sheep’s heads, he sells dog-flesh,- but with some genius. However, supposing that at the time all the monks had laughed, how would the “all-including eye of the absolute truth” have been handed on? Or if Kasyapa had not smiled, how would it have been handed? If you say, it can (anyway) be handed on, that’s the Golden-faced Old Huckster with his loud voice swindling at the town-gate. If you say it can’t, why did Buddha say he had handed it on to Kasyapa?
The Verse:
Holding up a flower,
The snake shows his tail.
Kasyapa smiles,
The monks don’t know what to do.
Me:
It looks like the Eye can be handed handed on only in the face of a dual. When there isn't a dual, there's no handing on. But I don't know if this is because of blindness or omniscience.
What can I do with this? I think: Have something to offer only when there's an incongruity, and be suspicious of my perception of incongruity. But do not let my suspicions manifest as a false modesty or useless quiescence.
You:
Submitted January 06, 2020 at 07:17PM by Porn_Steal https://ift.tt/37GiJb7
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