I see great value in the structure that summaries like this can provide. Thoughtless thought is subtle, a direction that is nevertheless needed. Chan texts are many, a way to organise them in our minds is also beneficial. As luck would have it, Baizhang has provided just such guidance - what more than these hands-on guiding principles do we really need?
The excerpts are from Baizhang’s extensive records, see here for more context.
Step 1. Detachment (the elementary good, “result of meditation”).
If one no longer loves or grasps, and yet abides in not loving or grasping and considers it correct, this is the elementary good; this is abiding in the subdued mind. This is a disciple; he is one who is fond of the raft and will not give it up. This is the way of the two vehicles. This is a result of meditation.
This is describing the trackless bird path. Leaving no traces by total acceptance of the present in mirror-like-awareness that does not get hung up on that which it encounters.
The raft = the teaching that 'brings you to the other shore', i.e., enlightenment
Two vehicles = the means for solitary Buddhist seekers to pursue liberation.
Meditation = the concentrated practice of cultivating detachment through acceptance and equanimity.
Step 2. Not dwelling in detachment (intermediate good, “still a meditation sickness”).
Once you do not grasp any more, and yet do not dwell in nonattachment either, this is the intermediate good. This is the half-word teaching. This is still the formless realm; though you avoid falling into the way of the two vehicles, and avoid falling into the ways of demons, this is still a meditation sickness. This is the bondage of bodhisattvas.
This is describing the hidden path, which is neither detached nor attached, not being blind of cause and effect, yet not caught up in it.
the ways of demons = self-deception through thought
bodhisattvas = person on the way to enlightenment (in this context)
Meditation sickness = don't mount the donkey (see Foyan's 2nd lecture on 'Zen Sicknesses')
Step 3. Not making an understanding of not dwelling (the final good).
Once you no longer dwell in nonattachment, and do not even make an understanding of not dwelling either, this is the final good; this is the full-word teaching. You avoid falling into the formless realm, avoid falling into meditation sickness, avoid falling into the way of bodhisattvas, and avoid falling into the state of the king of demons.
All fallacies are overcome. Everywhere is a site of enlightenment. Response is free of convention, infinite knowledge is realised, leading to absorption in wisdom and compassion. No obsession, no exertion, no runaway grasping mind that unceasingly opinionates and injects interpretations, just independence and thusness that is at once recognised, like a thunder clap in blue skies, to be the actual ordinary.
Enlightenment, what then?
After this, one will be able to freely use cause and effect, virtue and knowledge (...) In life one is not stayed by life; in death, one is not obstructed by death. (...) One is free to go or to stay, going out or entering in without difficulty (...) there is no question of stages or steps, or superior or inferior(...) It is inconceivable.
Sounds nice. And just because it is inconceivable, why should we waste time trying to discern enlightenment? Zen teachings are obviously not intended to describe enlightenment so that the student can grasp and realise it, the matter is just not that easy given how our mind has been conditioned - they are generally expedients aimed at helping along the above stages, or means to cut down deviating nonsense, depending on which stage the student is at. After enlightenment, there are no stages. The stages are just a means. A summary in the language of our conceptual minds. Just like a mother cat shows her youngsters how to bury their crap - words wouldn't be appropriate there. If one does not know all of the stages, what guidance is there and how much time to wasted? Yet ff one attempts them all at once, how can one succeed?
I think that the most important step is to actually begin doing the work and not seek insight in the next piece of text. It's like expecting the IKEA furniture to suddenly appear assembled by turning another page in the instruction manual. Yet one needs to physically put the last leg on the chair before it can fulfil its purpose of holding your weight.
This ain't no buy now pay later affair.
Submitted August 30, 2020 at 06:01AM by Coinionaire https://ift.tt/2QyOfRS
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