The More the Merrier

Nanquan asked a lecturer, “What scripture can you lecture on?” He said, “The scripture on Maitreya’s incarnation.” Nanquan said, “When will Maitreya be incarnated?” He said, “Now he’s in heaven, yet to come.” Nanquan said, “There is no Maitreya in heaven, and no Maitreya on earth.”

Dongshan cited this and asked Yunju about it. Yunju said, “If there is no Maitreya in heaven, and no Maitreya on earth, who gives the name?” At this question, Dongshan’s seat shook; he said to Yunju, “When I was at Yunyan’s I questioned the old man, and the brazier shook; today, questioned by you, my whole body runs with sweat.”

Ming-an said, “Now I cite this; if there is anyone who can pose a question, do so.” Then he said, “The earth is shaking.”

Dahui commented, “I don’t deny that the seat shook, the brazier shook, and the earth shook, but if these three old fellows want to see Nanquan, they’ll have to wait until Maitreya is incarnated. If someone comes forth and says, ‘If there is no Maitreya in heaven and no Maitreya on earth, then who would you have incarnated?’ How would you reply? I would just tell him, ‘My fault.’”

~ ~ ~

When friends start calling, you might as well join the party. I don’t deny that the seat shook, the brazier shook, the earth shook, that Dongshan broke out in a sweat or that it is Dahui’s fault. It’s just that if you really want to see a true friend, you meet heart to heart.

Eyes twinkling in the cool night

The sound of voices fills the moonlight

A drifting cloud obfuscates and leads astray

A friend calls him back with a warm smile, and they all talk the night away

Submitted April 27, 2021 at 02:06AM by InstantEuphoria https://ift.tt/3vfcwi6