Constant Attendant Wang, head of me 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 scat, 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 Bud- dhism?" The Master gave a shout. The monk 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 Huaog-po's place,' I asked a question three times and three times I got hit" The monk starred 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 di- visions 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 de- ceive 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 from of the Constant Attendant? Step aside! You're keeping other people from asking questions!"
The Master resumed, 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."
___
Commentary;
What's most interesting in this case for me is the fact lin-chi actually steps down from answering questions because it can be a hinder to others.
How can one's conduct hinder another?
How can a type of questioning obscure others' views so much they can block the realization of their buddha nature?
Such a delicate thing, this zen business.
Submitted October 14, 2019 at 05:55AM by EtherealApparition https://ift.tt/31djvsy
No comments:
Post a Comment