Weekly Measuring Tap: Case 8

This is the 8th case from Yuanwu’s Measuring Tap,

A monk asked Luzu, “What is unspoken speech?”

Luzu said, “Where is your mouth?”

The monk said, “I have no mouth.”

Luzu said, “What do you eat with?”

Xuedou brought this up and said, “He should whack him across the back right away. This type of fellow can’t shut his mouth once he’s opened it, and can’t open his mouth once he’s shut it.”

A problem is raised. Luzu doesn’t solve it, he turns it into a "was never a problem". Xuedou disagrees, by turning it Luzu was already too late. Luzu can only either say nothing (famous story, he would answer every question by just turning away to face a wall) or says to much (like in this case).

Xuedou disagrees with Luzu on a deep level.

You all should say something here in place of the monk to avoid Xuedou saying this. If you have eyes and brains you’ll never make a living in words.

That's just mean from Yuanwu. Still, this is his checkpoint. And he says if you want to avoid Xuedou disagreeing, you must say something on behalf of the monk. Any takers?

Submitted May 12, 2023 at 05:54AM by astroemi https://ift.tt/UYyaF6S