the Way. the Wayward. Impressionism.

On the Transmission of Mind, Huangbo

1. Regarding this Zen Doctrine of ours, since it was first transmitted, it has never taught that you should seek for learning or form concepts.

‘Studying the Way’ is just a figure of speech. It is a method of arousing people’s interest in the early stages of their development. In fact, the Way is not something which can be studied. Study leads to the retention of concepts, and so the Way is entirely misunderstood.

Moreover, the Way is not something specially existing; it is called the Mahayana Mind—Mind which is not to be found inside, outside, or in the middle. Truly, it is not located anywhere.

The first step is to refrain from know-ledge-based concepts. This implies that if you were to follow the empirical method to the utmost limit, on reach- ing that limit, you would still be unable to locate Mind.

The way is spiritual Truth and was originally without name or title. It was only because people ignorantly sought for it empirically that the Buddhas appeared and taught them to eradicate this method of approach.

Fearing that nobody would understand, they selected the name ‘Way’. You must not allow this name to lead you into forming a mental concept of a road. So it is said ‘When the fish is caught we pay no more attention to the trap.”

When body and mind achieve spontaneity, the Way is reached, and Mind is understood.

A ○ samana ○ is so called because he has pene-trated to the original source of all things. The fruit of attaining the samana stage is gained by putting an end to all anxiety; it does not come from book learning.

○ A word with lots and lots of contextual definitions ranging from A Monk to A Brahmin retaining her distinct identity. Perhaps here it is referring to one who has pacified their anxiety or their dis-ease or their suffering and the causes of their suffering. It is possible that samana is the ultimate origin of the word Shaman. I find it really interesting that Huangbo ends this chapter on that note. I'm not quite sure what to make of it relative to his commentary on The Way so I'm just going to let it be for now. Feel free to offer your thoughts, of course ○

After reading this chapter, I'm curious to hear a little of what it is you personally understand to be *the Way". But I'd like you to go about it indirectly, creatively, perhaps. Show. Don't tell. Do you know what I mean? I'll have a go:

There are countless currents of air

within the currents of air that come endless and swirling to envelop and suspend my being

in passing by me

Within currents of air with no discernable beginning or ending.

There are countless currents of air

Within the currents of air that come to compose every living cell of my being

in passing through me

within currents of air with no discernable beginning or ending.

.¤

All things being

Are inconcievable

Boundless

A spontaneous accordance with nature

●

The nature of Mind is illusory

not being

A fabrication self-affective bound in accordance with itself

● 

●○● ●

Born aberrant

a blameless heir to convolution

and lack

Bound by conception

And the gravity of its root abscence

and perpetual collapse

Seeking mind outside of mind

Wayward

♤♡◇♧

And that's a wrap. All those words just amount to an impression, really. But I'd be interested to see some of your impressions of the subject. Have a good night all.

Submitted March 09, 2023 at 11:42AM by slowcheetah4545 https://ift.tt/J3AUKa1