The political reality of Wumenguan/Mumonkan (No-gate Pass)

Some of us know that the koan collection Wumenguan (無門关 Wu/No-Gate Pass) is attributed to Wumen Huikai, a buddhist monk who once prayed for rain for the imperial court, and because he succeeded was bestowed a golden brocade robe by the Emperor.

Some of us also know that the very first koan of Wumenguan is on mu (無 wu).

But I think few of us have ever read the dedication/acknowledgement section of Wumenguan. Which is an interesting piece of writing by Wumen Huikai.

Here's my attempt to translate this section:

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Dedication section of Wumenguan

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紹定二年正月初五日。恭遇天基聖節。

[Written on] Shaoding era's second year (1229 CE) fifth day of the first month, respectfully coinciding with the holy day of Tianji (your Majesty’s birthday).

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臣僧慧開。

[I,] subject sangha/monk Huikai,

預於元年十二月初五日。印行拈提佛祖機緣四十八則。

Have been preparing since last year’s fifth day of the twelfth month, the publication of [this] weighing-judgment of 48 cases of the Buddhas' and Ancestors' pivotal conditions,

祝延今上皇帝聖躬萬歲萬歲萬萬歲。

To wish/pray for the longevity/lengthening of the current Emperor’s holy body/health to ten-thousand years of age, [and another] ten-thousand years of age, [and another] ten-thousand ten-thousand (hundred million) years of age.

皇帝陛下。

Your Majesty, the Emperor,

恭願聖明齊日月。叡算等乾坤。八方歌有道之君。四海樂無為之化。

May your holy illuminance be as bright as sun and moon, your glorious lifespan equal that of heaven and earth, [from the] eight-directions praises be sung [of you] as a ruler of Dao, [all within the] four-seas in delight of [your] Wuwei educative-reformation.

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慈懿皇后功德

[By] Empress Ciyi’s meritorious deed

報因佑慈禪寺前住持傳法臣僧慧開謹言。

[By] the former abbot of zen monastery Baoyin Youci (Retributing/Recompensing Causes, Blessing/Protecting Kindness), [your] subject sangha/monk in propagating Dharma, Huikai’s deferential words.

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So now we know that the publication of this koan collection Wumenguan has been specially prepared for the Emperor's birthday, as a prayer/wish to lengthen his lifespan to that of ten-thousand years, and another ten-thousand years, and another hundred million years.

But well, in reality, that Emperor (Song Lizong) lived to 59 years old only. Which is not too bad, considering the times then. And then, about 15 years after Song Lizong's death, the entire Song dynasty collapsed.

So what kind of Emperor was Song Lizong?

Well, Song Lizong was an Emperor known for doing practically nothing for Song dynasty, despite his 40-year long reign. He was not interested in governance/politics. Instead he was known for his lust of women, such that his officials would bring courtesans from brothels into the palace to entertain him.

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Food for thought.

• Why would zen teacher Wumen Huikai pray longevity for an Emperor, up to a hundred million years?

• What is the political reality of religious publication in Song dynasty?

• How free are religious renunciants, like Wumen Huikai, actually?

Submitted June 19, 2020 at 09:36AM by chintokkong https://ift.tt/2YcojjF