If one is speaking to worldly people, they should be told to abandon possessions, keep ethical precepts, practice formal meditation, and study teaching. To those who are beyond ordinary practices, we should not talk in that way... To true renunciates, I point out the defilement of purity. They should be taught to abandon all things, material or spiritual; to give up cultivation and attainment, and let go even of the notion of giving up. But among monks and devoted practitioners who cannot let go of the diseases of greed and aversion...they should still be taught to observe ethical precepts, practice formal meditation, and study teachings.
All verbal teachings are just like cures for diseases. Because the diseases are not the same, the medicines are also not the same. That's why it's sometimes said that there is original nature, and sometimes that there is no original nature. True words cure sickness. If the treatment brings about healing, then the words are true. If they cannot sure sickness, then they're false words. True words are false if they give rise to viewpoints. False words become true if they cut off the delusions of beings. Because the diseases are unreal, there are only unreal medicines to cure them.
Zen Master Baizhang Huaihai [720-814]
Baizhang Huaihai (Chinese: Bǎizhàng Huáihái; Wade-Giles: Pai-chang Huai-hai; Japanese: Hyakujō Ekai) was a Chinese Zen master during the Tang dynasty. He was a dharma heir of Mazu Daoyi. Baizhang's students included Huangbo, Linji and Puhua. [source: Wikipedia]
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Wandering Ronin's false words: This passage certainly clears up quite a bit about the mysterious and esoteric ways of the Zen masters. The more I learn about what the Zen masters taught, the more I see how absolutely incredible it was to be able to do what they did. Able to ascertain someone's very essence with a glance and by hearing a few careless words, the master could offer a turning phrase to direct someone towards enlightenment. That is no small feat, to say the least.
Submitted January 03, 2019 at 01:46AM by WanderingRoninXIII http://bit.ly/2F4w2ai
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