The Gateless Gate: The Buddha said, "I have the True Dharma Eye, the Marvelous Mind of Nirvana, the True Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, independent of words and transmitted beyond doctrine. This I have entrusted to Mahakashyapa."

The Gateless Gate: The Buddha Holds Out a Flower [6th Case]

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When Shakyamuni Buddha was at Mount Grdhrakuta, he held out a flower to his listeners.

Everyone was silent.

Only Mahakashyapa broke into a broad smile.

The Buddha said, "I have the True Dharma Eye, the Marvelous Mind of Nirvana, the True Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, independent of words and transmitted beyond doctrine. This I have entrusted to Mahakashyapa."

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Mumon's Comment

Golden-faced Gautama really disregarded his listeners.

He made the good look bad and sold dog's meat labeled as mutton.

He himself thought it was wonderful.

If, however, everyone in the audience had laughed, how could he have transmitted his True Eye?

And again, if Mahakashyapa had not smiled, how could the Buddha have transmitted it?

If you say the True Dharma Eye can be transmitted, then the golden-faced old man would be a city slicker who cheats the country bumpkin.

If you say it cannot be transmitted, then why did the Buddha approve of Mahakashyapa?

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Mumon's Verse

Holding out a flower,

The Buddha betrayed his curly tail.

Heaven and earth were bewildered,

At Mahakashyapa's smile.

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Commentary and questions: When the Buddha held out a flower to his listeners, it was an act of vast and complete emptiness, without reasoning or profundity. What did Mahakashyapa see that made him smile? The Buddha held up a flower, and there was nothing more to it than that.

Upon seeing Mahakashyapa's smile, the Buddha said, "I have the True Dharma Eye, the Marvelous Mind of Nirvana, the True Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, independent of words and transmitted beyond doctrine", which were radiant yet entirely superfluous words to point towards the path for any followers that did not understand at that time.

Once the Way is recognized, it can be seen interwoven through the skillful words of Zen masters like Foyan, who teaches: The path is not revealed only after explanation and direction; it is inherently always out in the open. Explanation and direction are expedient methods, used to get you to realize enlightenment.

What is it that is independent of words and transmitted beyond doctrine, and what is it that is inherently always out in the open? It's a paradox; even to name it 'emptiness' is to at once sully it with concepts and reasoning. When the Buddha held up the flower, it expounded this Dharma of emptiness with one supremely total act greater than any words that could ever be written about it. While words may point towards and illuminate the Way, they ultimately have nothing to do with the Way.

Submitted January 18, 2020 at 04:57PM by _WanderingRonin_ https://ift.tt/2G4jbEu