The Real Shobogenzo: Huineng Testifies

Dahui's Real Original, the First Shobogenzo:

300.

[Monk visits Huineng, says he went up north to see the Buddhist preacher Shenxiu]

The patriarch said, “What did he say? Try to quote it to me, and I will testify for you.”

Chang said [I asked him] ‘What is the fundamental essence of my original mind?’

[Shenxiu] said, ‘Do you see space?’ I answered, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Do you see that space has any appearance?’ I said, ‘Space is formless—what appearance does it have?’

Shenxiu said, ‘Your fundamental essential nature is like space; look back into your own essential nature—nothing can be seen at all. This is called right seeing. There is nothing knowable at all—this is called true knowledge. There is no blue or yellow, long or short—you only see the complete illumination of the essence of awareness, clear and pure at its fundamental source. This is called seeing essential nature and realizing buddhahood. It is also called the world of bliss. It is also called the knowledge and vision of the Realized.’

The patriarch said, “That teacher’s explanation still maintains perception and knowledge; that’s why it makes you uncertain. I will now teach you a verse:

Not seeing a single thing but maintaining a view of nothingness

Is like floating clouds blocking the face of the sun.

Not knowing a single thing yet keeping to recognition of emptiness

Is like flashing lightning occurring in the vast sky.

“This knowledge and perception produce mistaken recognition at a glance—when have you ever understood expedient means? You should instantly acknowledge your error; your own spiritual light is always manifest. [Huineng then composed this verse:]

Producing intellectual interpretation with no basis

Seeking enlightenment fixated on descriptions,

If you keep a single subjective thought of enlightenment,

How can you transcend past confusion?

The inherent source of awareness is basic;

If you follow perception, you flow madly along;

If you don’t enter the room of the founding teacher,

You absentmindedly head in both directions.

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ewk note: This is a different translation (and maybe text) from other versions of this conversation. I haven't compared them. "Testify" caught my eye, as you might imagine, because of the link Zen Masters draw between Zen and a legal system. This phrase is also interesting:

“This knowledge and perception produce mistaken recognition at a glance—

I think it refers to "knowledge and perception of the Realized". Why would Huineng complain about that?

Regardless of what theory of Huineng you subscribe to, everybody acknowledges that Huineng didn't confine himself to one successor. How Huineng set the stage for that seems likely to be linked to his record of teachings.

Who is ready to enter the room of the founding teacher? Heh heh heh.

Submitted September 04, 2019 at 05:56AM by ewk https://ift.tt/2LtnLOP