The Zen Lineage is Ongoing: Going Beyond

 The Zen Lineage is Ongoing: Going Beyond 

Cases for Context

It's important to understand what lineage means to Zen Masters. To other people it might seem like permission or status. To them, they already have that because they give it to themselves. This is going to be longer than most people will tolerate, so let's just say it's In the Monk's Hall as opposed to Outside the Gate.

Zhaozhou's King at the border checkpoint

The master once came to T'ung-kuan pass. The guard at T'ung-kuan asked, "Do you know you are at T'ung-kuan pass?"

The master said, "I know it."

The guard said, "Those who have a passport can be let to pass; those who have no passport cannot be let to pass."

The master said, "What about it when the emperor's coach happens to come?"

The guard said, "It must still be checked to pass through."

The master said, "You want to start a revolution."

Weishan's Surpasses Worthy

Wei-shan said, "When one's understanding is only equal to that of his teacher he diminishes the teacher's merit by half. Only when his understand­ing surpasses that of his teacher is he worthy of carrying on the line."

Dongshan's going beyond

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One time the Master said, "If you would experience that which transcends even the Buddha, you must first be capable of a bit of conversation."

A monk asked, "What kind of conversation is that?"

"When I am conversing, you don't hear it, Acarya," said the Master.

"Do you hear it or not, Ho-shang?" asked the monk.

"When I am not conversing, I hear it," replied the Master.

Approval and Lineage

Texts say Master approved What was this mean? Deshan's "approval" was mouth blood bowl and his teeth like sword trees aka gate to hell. Puhua was approved by doing a somersault, and everybody can tell that wasn't impressive.

Dharma heirs are not:

1. Ur words are the same as mine
2. U agree with me doctrinally
3. You will carry on my work/habits/teaching

Lineage is for:

1. The best anybody can reliably get from you is a tie.
2. So why would you care who approves or recognizes?
3. Why would you agree to be an heir?

Enlightenment is Best

What does enlightenment look like? Since you don't know, why concern yourself.

What do Zen Masters approve of? Transcending Buddha. Going beyond.

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Welcome! ewk comment: This post started because somebody said is the Zen lineage over? How could Enlightenment be over? Churches ordain followers. Zen Masters reluctantly acknowledge equals.

Submitted July 30, 2022 at 06:55AM by ewk https://ift.tt/SfQ0qDr