Keep it simple, stupid.

A Buddhist scholar monk from Jo Prefecture arrived at Joshu's place. Joshu asked, "What are you studying?"

The scholar said, "Whether discussing the teaching, the commandments, or the philosophy, I can immediately bring forth an argument without consulting with anyone."

Joshu raised his hand and showed it to the monk: "Can you argue this?"

The scholar was dumbfounded.

Joshu said, "Even if you can immediately bring forth an argument without consulting with anyone, you are merely a fellow lecturing on doctrine and philosophy. This is not the Buddhist truth, however."

The monk said, "What the master has just said is the Buddhist truth, then, isn't it?"

Joshu said, "Even if you can ask questions and even if you can answer them, it is still within the doctrine and the philosophy. This is not the Buddhist truth."

The scholar was speechless.

Being slow of wit, and lacking the faculties to argue expressively with the many great and wise scholars of r/Zen, I feared that I might never be able to contend with their arguments.

Why, we have fellows here who know Chinese and Japanese, who’ve read the works in multiple translations, as well as the works in the original language.

Fellows who, whether we discuss the Sutras, or the Zen texts, whether we discuss Philosophy or Song era poetry, already have all the answers lined up like soldiers at their command.

Fellows who, without consulting a single text, can pull myriad arguments out of thin air, as though reaching into their infinitely gaping asshole and just pulling out whatever shit entices them.

Then! Oh yes, Then! I remembered, THIS is the essential truth of the Buddhadharma. They can argue their fanatic fallacies all they’d like, but really, who’s bothered?

I just tell them, no, no, you are right. I don’t understand as well as you.

This kitty just knocked over a box of straws. Who thought it was a good idea to have an animal in the business? It is cute though.

Have I only been up two hours? I’m ready for a nap. 😴😴😴😴😴😴😂

Still I have a long day of Dhyana ahead of me.

Submitted April 18, 2021 at 08:37PM by Owlsdoom https://ift.tt/3vdGKlR