Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Rotten Wood and Dead Vines

Master Langya Jiao said,

*”Propositions of being and nonbeing are like vines clinging to a tree. When the tree falls, the vines whiter, a fine piece of rotten firewood.

I take “propositions of being and nonbeing” to be various religious doctrines. Some such include popular ones such as “Buddha will save you from suffering with the 8-fold path”, “LSD gives insight into nondual reality”, “Zazen is the dharma gate of bliss”— basically any claim made about reality.

The “tree falling” is believing in and affirming those propositions—it results in insta-death. Whatever remains after someone utters is totally lifeless unfit to be used for fire.

Dahui comments on this case saying, ”Langya very much appears to be mistaking a thief for his son, but even so it’s hard to requite such a huge favor.”

Why does Dahui compare him to someone mistaking a thief for his son?

What’s the big favor?



Submitted May 16, 2023 at 07:58PM by ThatKir https://ift.tt/g37J0o5

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