The irritating meaning of the teachings

A monk inquired, "What is the meaning of the teachings?"

The Master asked back, "What sutra are you reading?"

The monk replied, "The Wisdom Sutra."

The Master cited, " 'All knowledge is pure.' Have you seen this even in a dream?"

The monk said, "Let's leave 'All knowledge is pure' aside. What is the meaning of the teachings?"

The Master replied, "If in your heart you had not failed someone, you would not be blushing! But I spare you the thirty blows of the staff you deserve."

-- Zen Master Yunmen #17

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My comment

This is a wonderful case to dwell upon, for all students of Zen. Mostly from the comfort of our own homes - out of reach of the thirty blows of the staff.

Like many of us, this monk wishes to know the meaning of the teachings. He is deep in study. He comes to seek the wisdom and authority of the master, from his position of doubt. It seems that he doesn't know the meaning of what he's been reading.

What is the meaning of the teachings, he asks. A fantastically open, wide, unspecific query.

All knowledge is pure, the master cites for him. But the irreverent monk brushes the master's bombast aside, and insists with his questioning, which obviously irritates master Yunmen.

Is all knowledge pure? How can we know? If all knowledge is pure, should we know? What does it mean?

What we surely must do, is reflect on Yunmen's citation with complete rigour, and consider all imaginable permutations of the situation described in the case. Nothing can escape our investigation.

We should even give ourselves thirty hard blows, if that's what it takes to atone for those we've failed, and to stop blushing. We must progress fast in our practice and our study. A failure in expertise is not an option.

There is no wisdom, and no attainment whatsoever, says the Sutra.

Submitted July 19, 2022 at 05:15AM by Jamalwherewithall https://ift.tt/oIERM3G