Chan master Huanzhong of Mt. Daci ascended the hall and said, “I do not know how to answer gongans. All I know is illness.” At that time a certain monk stepped forward (to ask a question) and the master returned to the abbot’s quarters.
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Fayan (Wenyi) added a comment, “Some in the assembly remarked, ‘Illness is right before his eyes, but (Huanzhong) does not know it.”
Xuanjue inquired, “Speak! Does Daci know illness or not? Is the monk who stepped forward ill or not ill? If you say he is ill, then quotidian actions like walking and standing cannot all be illnesses. If you say he is not ill, then how should we make sense of his stepping forward?”
Xuedou Chongxian added a comment, “In general, to establish a tradition one must determine gain and loss. Daci knew illness and did not answer gongans. At that time a certain monk stepped forward and Daci returned to the abbot’s quarters. I know illness and do not answer gongans. Should a monk step forward I would strike him on his back. Should a monk step forward, masters everywhere who know illness and who do not answer gongans, will certainly have their own unique way of (responding). Should there be any change in the Great Tang there can only be three sons of Heaven.”
Dayu Shouzhi added a comment, “This monk stepped forward and Daci returned to his abbot’s quarters. Neither is coherent. What state is the state of knowing illness? Examine carefully right now.”
Haiyin Chaoxin ascended the hall, raised this gongan, and then raised Xuedou’s words, strike him on his back. The master said, “I would not have done the same. If a certain monk were to step forward, I (Jianfu) would tell him to go have some tea.”
Huanglong Zuxin raised this gongan and said, “What a pity! Letting him off the hook like that. Back then had (Huanzhong) struck him on his back as soon as he stepped forward and waited until he understood where the blow came from, (Huanzhong) could have avoided the fate of being scrutinized for a thousand years. Today, I know illness and can also answer gongans. If a certain man were to step forward, I would flip over the corded chair. In this situation how should he turn things around? The chief seat should try to come up with a turning phrase as a substitute reply.”
Tiantong Zhengjue while instructing the assembly, raised this gongan, and then raised Xuedou words, Struck him on his back. The master said, “Daci and Xuedou are both virtuosos. But they could only see what was in front of their eyes and could not inhibit what was under their feet. Had a man who does not distinguish good from evil and does not ask East or West stepped forward and flipped over the corded chair, even if they made a move with all their skills they would still be at a loss and unable to control their hands and feet. Right at that moment would they have known illness?”
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Let's have some Zen fun: I am going to do a commentary on the commentary.
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Fayan makes a big leap, but I suspect the arrow missed the mark. Given the nature of the monks illness, the medicine seems appropriate.
Xuanjue lays out the red carpet. Taking a stance on the monk's purpose, and the Master's reciprocation, is the bare minimum for discussion.
Xuedou says he's got a mean arm, but he's just sitting there explaining it after all.
Dayu wants to skip right past the secondary. Unfortunately, I'm writing this commentary and missed the boat.
Tea is good for indigestion.
Huanglong is obviously an old windbag. Who would fear getting hit from someone with such poor eyesight?
Tiantong is merciless. How can anyone save their life before that razor?
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All in good fun.
Submitted April 19, 2021 at 07:11AM by turiya-harem https://ift.tt/3n6zqWg
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