4. On Giving Answers Without Observing Time and Situation and Not Having the Eye of the Source
Anyone who would be a guide to the source first distinguishes the false from the true. Once the false and the true have been distinguished, it is also essential that the time and situation be understood. It is, furthermore, necessary to speak with the eye of the source, able to make a point and to respond without inconsistency.
Thus, although there is nothing personal in a statement, we still make provisional use of discernment of the aim within words. The Ts’ao-Tung has “knocking and calling out” for its function, the Lin-chi has “interchange” for its working; Yunmen “contains, covers, and cuts off the flows”; while the Kuei-Yang silently matches square and round. Like a valley echoing melodies, like matching talismans at a pass, although they are different in their manners, that does not inhibit their fluid integration.
In recent generations, Zen teachers have lost the basis; students have no guidance. They match wits egotistically and take what is ephemeral for an attainment. Where is the heart to guide others? No longer do we hear of knowledge to destroy falsehood. Caning and shouting at random, they say they have studied Te-shan and Lin-chi; presenting circular symbols to each other, they claim they have deeply understood Kuei-shan and Yang-shan.
Since they do not handle the all-embracing source in their answers, how can they know the essential eye in their actions? They fool the young and deceive the sagacious. Truly they bring on the laughter of objective observers and call calamity upon their present state. This is why the Overnight Illuminate said, “If you do not want to incur hellish karma, do not slander the Buddha’s true teaching.”
People like this cannot be all told of. They just leave their teachers’ heritage without any insight of their own. Having no basis upon which to rely, their restless consciousness is unclear. They are only to be pitied, but it is hard to inform them of this.
Ten Guidelines for Zen Schools by Fayan, translated by Cleary ( https://terebess.hu/zen/fayan.html#a2 )
McNubbitz Bitz: Real Zen Masters want you to learn black from white, truth from falsehood. Do not blindly follow what you've been told, investigate and make an informed conclusion. You should not blindly follow what I tell you either; investigate and make an informed conclusion- but actually put effort into this. If someone is wrong, tell them and present your evidence of the truth. Do it like a scientist. Fayan also says to respond without inconsistency. Dogen Buddhists are inconsistent all across the board. That should be evidence enough not to trust what they say. Investigate these things for yourself.
Submitted July 31, 2019 at 11:33PM by McNubbitz https://ift.tt/2YepMYc
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