A poem by Huang po.

Mind is a mighty ocean, a sea which knows no bounds.

Words are but scarlet lotus to cure the lesser ills.

Though there be times of leisure when my hands both lie at rest,

'Tis not to welcome idlers that I raise them to my breast!

[Huang Po's poem implies that the Transmission can fall only upon one who has received intuitive experience leading to a direct perception of the One Mind. Mere intellectual brilliance will avail nothing. Hence, to those who idle away their time in metaphysical or intellectual discussions, the Master will make no sign.]

The above commentary is by John Blofeld.

T. O. M's comment.

Words and intellectual discussion are abstract, lotus petals floating about on the waves, unable to penetrate the depths, and are easily mistaken for true representations of mind.

I feel that this is why huang po always warns against concepts and intellectual pursuit.

Also, words don't always convey the same meaning as intended, so, even if we were to rely upon words, the meaning can be easily mistaken..

Add to that, problems with translation, and problems with a 1000 year old dialect, and we have a perfect recipe for misinterpreting zen masters.

Peace.

Submitted April 22, 2021 at 12:22PM by transmission_of_mind https://ift.tt/3gvpnJ2