When [Yuanwu’s teacher] Fayan first came to Wuzu Temple, Yuanwu was working there as temple manager. At that time a new kitchen was to be built in an area where a beautiful tree stood.
Fayan said, “Although the tree is in the way, don’t cut it down.”
Yuanwu cut down the tree anyway.
Fayan reacted furiously, and picking up his staff he chased after Yuanwu as if to strike him. Yuanwu began to run away to avoid the beating, but then suddenly experienced great enlightenment and cried out,
“This is the way of Linji!”
He then grabbed the staff away from Fayan and said,
“I recognize you, you old thief!”
Fayan laughed and went off.
From this time forward, Fayan allowed Yuanwu to lecture the Dharma to the other monks.
Source: Complete Historical Record of the Buddha Ancestors
Yuanwu then of course took his understanding and went on and on and on and on about the encounters and verses of others in his lectures, later compiled in a minor pamphlet called the BCR.
In the old tradition of this sub, I shall now ask you all a question or two, as if I would know the answer:
- What is this way of Linji the old thief Wuzu employed, chasing this disobedient monk with his wooden authority stick?
- Bonus: How would you have responded to this wielding of the staff?
Submitted October 03, 2020 at 05:05AM by Coinionaire https://ift.tt/36th0bG
No comments:
Post a Comment