Joshu 124 in the pdf I am reading.

A monk asked, "The style of the master- what is it?"

Joshu said, "I don't hear well. You must speak up."

The monk repeated his question.

Joshu said, "By your asking about my style, I know your style."

Joshu has really been resonating with me.

Here, the monk asks Joshu about his "style". Joshu knows that there is not one Way or style, and each individual will arrive at Zen through their own understandings of what blocks their own personal Way.

The monk still has those notions of there being a certain Way or ways to achieve Zen.

The simple question of there being a "style" reveals much to Joshu. He sees the block instantly that the monk is not even aware he has.

Getting caught up in styles is like trying to find Zen by practicing Buddhism.

Buddha was in Zen. He did not practice.

Joshu alludes to this in a few passages.

You can not practice something you are. You just are.

Submitted February 28, 2019 at 02:11AM by Beware_of_Horses https://ift.tt/2EBzIiY