Koan of The Week: Breaks Over, Royalsalt On Joshu

Title: Where the intellect does not reach (Joshu 141)

A monk said, "Where is the place that intellect does not reach?" The master said, "Come here." The monk said, "Now that I have come here, it is a place that has been reached. What is a place that thought cannot reach?" The master held up his hand and said, "What do you call this?" The monk said, "I call it a hand. What do you call it?" The master said, "Out of the thousands of names I, too, use that one." The monk said, "Without reaching for it by any of the thousands of names, right now what do you call it?" The master said, "In that case, it is the place that intellect does not reach." The monk bowed. The master said, "The teachings of Shakyamuni (Buddha) and the teachings of the Patriarchs are your guide (to it)." The monk said, "The Patriarchs and the Buddhas have been spoken of by the ancients. What is the place that intellect does not reach?" The master raised one finger and said, "What do you call it?" The monk was silent. The master said, "Why don't you speak when knocked on the head? What other doubts do you have?"

(Sayings of zen master Joshu by James Green)

Commentary: How exemplary is this for being compassionate to others? The master laid to rest the whole world by taking a walk with a friend. <3

What other doubts do you have?

^{royalsaltmerchant}

Submitted February 02, 2020 at 01:45AM by TFnarcon9 https://ift.tt/3b2HTDu