What Did Vimalakirti Say?

This is the 48th case from Wansong’s Book of Serenity,

Vimalakirti asked Manjusri, "What is a Bodhisattva’s method of entering nonduality?"

Manjusri said, "According to my mind, in all things, no speech, no explanation, no direction and no representation, leaving behind all questions and answers—this is the method of entering nonduality." Then Manjusri asked Vimalakirti, "We have each spoken. Now you should say, good man, what is a Bodhisattva’s method of entry into nonduality?"

Vimalakirti was silent.

-So many people have commented on this case, including Wansong, Tiantong, Xuedou, Yuanwu, Baofu Congzhan, Langya Jiao, Tianyi Yihuai, Baiyun Duan, Yangqi, Dahui, HuangBo, and Dongshan Chu. Why?

If we start by saying "entering nonduality" is referring to enlightenment, then Manjusri’s answer makes sense. There is no set of words that will get you there. Isn’t that an interesting set of words? Then Vimalakirti, since there is no way to explain, just doesn’t, and Wansong says this about him, "Although Vimalakirti outwardly seems dumb, his speechless eloquence is pure and genuine within—that is to say, the stone conceals the jewel."

What do you think?

Submitted March 04, 2023 at 10:08PM by astroemi https://ift.tt/N5h09aR