Lin-chi Lu, Burton Watson, Chapter 1

Constant Attendant Wang, head of the prefecture, and his various officials requested the Master to step up to the lecture seat.

The Master ascended the hall and said, “Today, having found it impossible to refuse, I have complied with people’s wishes and stepped up to the lecture seat. If I were to discuss the great concern of Buddhism from the point of view of a follower of the sect of the Ch’an patriarchs, then I could not even open my mouth, and you would have no place to plant your feet. But today I have been urged to speak by the Constant Attendant, so why should I hide the principles of our sect? Perhaps there are some valiant generals here who would like to draw up their ranks and unfurl their banners.
Let them prove to the group what they can do!”

A monk asked, “What is the basic meaning of Buddhism?”
The Master gave a shout.
The mono bowed low.
The Master said, “This fine monk is the kind who’s worth talking to!”

Someone asked, “Master, whose style of song do you sing? Whose school of teaching do you carry on?”
The Master said, “When I was at Huang-po’s place, I asked a question three times and three times I got hit.”
The monk started to say something. The Master gave a shout and then struck the monk, saying, “You don’t drive a nail into the empty sky!”

A study director said, “The Three Vehicles and twelve divisions of the teachings make the Buddha-nature clear enough, don’t they?”
The Master said, “Wild grass—it’s never been cut.”
The study director said, “Surely the Buddha wouldn’t deceive people!”
The Master said, “Buddha—where is he?”
The study director had no answer.
The Master said, “Are you trying to dupe me right in front of the Constant Attendant? Step aside! You’re keeping other people from asking questions!”

The Master resumen, saying, “This religious gathering today is held for the sake of the one great concern of Buddhism. Are there any others who want to ask questions? Come forward quickly and ask them!

“But even if you open your mouths, what you say will have nothing to do with that concern. Why do I say this? Because Shakyamuni said, did he not, that ‘the Dharma is separate from words and writings, and is not involved with direct or indirect causes.’
“It’s because you don’t have enough faith that today you find yourselves tied up in knots. I’m afraid you will trouble the Constant Attendant and the other officials and keep them from realizing their Buddha-nature. It’s best for me to withdraw.”
With that he gave a shout and then said, “People with so few roots of faith—will the day ever come when they see the end of this? Thank you for standing so long.”

This is a game called 'find the compassion'.

Submitted December 06, 2018 at 06:55AM by seigando https://ift.tt/2QdhMTo