Case 6 - The Buddha Holds Out a Flower
When Shakyamuni Buddha was at Mount Grdhrakuta, he held out a flower to his listeners.
Everyone was silent. Only Mahakashyapa broke into a broad smile. The Buddha said, "I have the True Dharma Eye, the Marvelous Mind of Nirvana, the True Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, independent of words and transmitted beyond doctrine. This I have entrusted to Mahakashyapa."
Mumon's Comment
Golden-faced Gautama really disregarded his listeners. He made the good look bad and sold dog's meat labeled as mutton. He himself thought it was wonderful. If, however, everyone in the audience had laughed, how could he have transmitted his True Eye? And again, if Mahakashyapa had not smiled, how could the Buddha have transmitted it? If you say the True Dharma Eye can be transmitted, then the golden-faced old man would be a city slicker who cheats the country bumpkin. If you say it cannot be transmitted, then why did the Buddha approve of Mahakashyapa?
My thoughts:
Silent agreement is possible
this reminds me, that people can agree towards each others without necessary rites
It gives me hope, that everyone can get along in the end
Mumon worries about all the things that could have gone wrong, who forced him to laugh against his will?
Why would it matter?
He could have silently agreed with the possibility of it all going wrong, which is, to my understanding, part of why the monk smiled. The audacity of being so trusting into human kindness amused him, but he also found himself simply enjoy the flower and as a result caught himself understanding what was going on.
Had everyone laughed, so what?
Submitted October 31, 2018 at 01:07AM by Ytumith https://ift.tt/2AAWkya
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