As soon as there are judgments of right and wrong, you lose your mind in a flurry.

This really rustled my jimmies but in a good way, so I'm sharing in hopes it will tickle yours too.

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And do you know they are drawn up by your nondiscriminatory mind? Like an artist drawing all sorts of pictures, both pretty and ugly, the mind depicts forms, feelings, perceptions, abstract patterns, and consciousnesses; it depicts human societies and paradises.

When it is drawing these pictures, it does not borrow the power of another; there is no discrimination between the artist and the artwork. It is because of not realizing this that you conceive various opinions, having views of yourself and views of other people, creating your own fair and foul.

So it is said, “An artist draws a picture of hell, with countless sorts of hideous forms. On setting aside the brush to look it over, it’s bone-chilling, really hair-raising.” But if you know it’s a drawing, what is there to fear? In olden times, when people had clearly realized this, it became evident in all situations.

Once when the great teacher Xuansha was cutting down a tree, a tiger bounded out of the woods. The teacher’s companion said, “ It’s a tiger!” The teacher scolded him and said, “ It’s a tiger for you.” Another time, when he saw a seeker performing prostrations, Xuansha said, “ It is because of the self that one can bow to the other."

These expedients are in profound accord with the intent of Buddha. The great teacher Fayan once pointed to a dog right in front of him and said, “An engraving.” When you look at this, do not look to the dog itself for clarification; you must see it in your own experience before you can get it. Only then will you understand that saying, “As soon as there are judgments of right and wrong, you lose your mind in a flurry.” I hope you get the point!

Foyan

Submitted April 05, 2020 at 03:18PM by Gutei_Isshi https://ift.tt/34aIEqU