You can't talk your way out of this one!

Having entered the Dharma Hall for a formal instruction, Master Yunmen said:

“Well, what has since ancient times been the matter? Right now I cannot help saying to all of you: What thing is there in the whole universe that is an object for you or stands in relation to you? If there is the slightest thing that forms an obstacle or constriction for you, come get hold of it for me! What is it that you call ‘buddha’ and ‘patriarch’? What is it that you call mountain, river, the earth, sun, moon, and stars? And what do you regard as the four elements and the five components?

“When I talk this way, I call it ‘talk by a granny from a three-house hamlet.’ If I’d happen to come across a real pilgrim and he’d hear me talk like this, he couldn’t be reproached if he grabbed me by my leg and threw me down the steps.

“Nevertheless [I ask you]: for what reason is this so? Don’t take advantage of your glib mouthpiece for haphazard talk in here. [To be able to freely talk] you must first be this kind of man! If all of a sudden the ground on which you stand gets examined by me, you will be cornered and get your legs broken; will there be anything wrong with that?

“This being understood: is there someone right now who would like to question me about the essence of our [Chan] tradition? Let me reply with one turn [of phrase] and then go wherever I like!”

Just when some monk was about to ask, the Master hit him with his staff full on the mouth. Then he left his seat.

Damn! Before he could even get a word out, whammo! A mouthful of staff! Ouch!

Where did he go wrong?

It seems as though Yunmen wasn't kidding around and he should have grabbed the master by the leg and thrown him down the stairs. Or just never have stepped forward. This was a brutal test where you can fight, flee, or submit, but there's no talking your way out of this one.

But where is the harm done? What sort of object is this staff in relation to the monk's mouth? Is the harm in the staff's solid 'earth element'? Is it in Yunmen's fiery aggression? Is it in the monk's five skandhas? Did the Sangha benefit from his martyr-like beating?

If you think you haven't understood, go punch yourself in the face. If you think you have understood, go slam your fingers in a door.

Submitted August 24, 2020 at 03:51AM by jungle_toad https://ift.tt/3aX1FAv