How to Do Things

This is the 448 entry in Dahui’s Treasury Eye of True Teaching,

Master Muping first called on Luopu. He asked, "What is before a single bubble has emerged?" Luopu said, "To move a boat, become familiar with the current; raising the oar, distinguish the waves." Muping didn't get it; next he called on Panlong and asked the same question. Panlong said, "Moving a boat, you don't distinguish the waters; raising an oar, you lose the source." Muping was initially enlightened by this.

Yunfeng Yue said, "If Muping had understood at Luopu's words, that still would have amounted to a little bit; too bad he drowned in Panlong's stagnant water." Someone asked, "How was Muping?" Yunfeng replied, "He didn't bother with the axe; after all he just stayed here. Chan worthies, whenever you set out to travel around, you must distinguish false and true, discern reality and artifice, have a bit of eye sinew. Even so, this is drawing the bow after the thief has gone."

Dahui said, "These words of Yunfeng can blind people and also can open people's eyes."

Muping, "What is my essence? What is the most fundamental thing about myself?"

Luopu, "In order to act, become familiar with yourself. When you want to do things, distinguish what your essence is."

Panling, "When you are acting, you don’t see the fundamental. When you do things, you lose the essence."

Why is Panling's water stagnant and Loupu's isn't?

If these words blind you or open your eyes what does that depend on?

Submitted August 17, 2022 at 12:15AM by astroemi https://ift.tt/VpC5dJE