Why do Zen Masters speak?

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u/ceoln recently asked: “Why do Zen Masters bother?

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Let’s go over the facts:

1. Zen Masters say there’s no need to use unnecessary energy.

2. Layman P’ang challenges Sung-shan about the fact that no-one can speak the ultimate truth. See quote.

3. Zen Masters say it’s a lose-lose situation when someone asks you a question. Either you don’t reply and you’ve disproved your ability to answer, or you reply and fall into the secondary (words) - the ultimate truth is beyond words.

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1)

Devote yourself to impartiality

And whatever you do will carry stillness.

Anxiety and doubt will completely clear

And true faith will bring things to harmony.

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So that nothing clung to will remain

Nothing remembered will continue.

Spacious and bright the mind functions naturally,

Without exhausting its energy.

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Thought and measure cannot reach this place

Consciousness and emotion cannot fathom it.

In the Dharma realm of the real as it is

There is no self or other.

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- The Hsin Hsin Ming, by Sencan. Translation by Hakuun Barnhard

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2)

As the Layman and Sung-shan Ho-shang were drinking tea together, the Layman held up the stand of his teacup and said: “Everyone without exception is endowed with it: why can no one speak?”

“Just because everyone without exception is endowed with it, no one can speak,” returned Sung-shan.

“How is it, my elder brother, that you can speak?” asked the Layman.

“I can’t help but speak,” replied Sung-shan.

“Obviously, obviously,” returned the Layman.

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- The Recorded Sayings of Layman P’ang

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3)

Master Xiangyan said,

"Suppose someone is up in a tree, holding onto a branch by his mouth, his hands not gripping any branch, his feet not set on the tree; someone asks him the meaning of the coming from the West; if he doesn't reply, he's evading the question, but if he does reply he loses his life.

At such a time, what would be right?"

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- TotEoTT # 427

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UExis:

I think u/ceoln’s problem lies simply in his question. Who said Zen Masters bother?

And if so, what is it they bother about?

Foyan said it like this:

This is a matter for strong people. People who do not discern what is being asked give replies depending on what comes up. They do not know it is something you ask yourself— to whom would you answer? When people do not understand an answer, they produce views based on words. They do not know it is something you answer for yourself— what truth have you found, and where does it lead? Therefore it is said, “It’s all you.”

Look! Look!

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Some people say, “The verbal teachings given out by the enlightened ones since ancient times circulate throughout the world, each distinctly clear. Why is all this oneself? That is pro­ found ingratitude toward the kindness of the ancient sages.” I now reply that I am actually following the source message of the enlightened ones; you yourselves turn your backs on it, not I. If you say they have some doctrine, you are thereby slandering the enlightened.

Submitted September 08, 2021 at 10:19PM by UExis https://ift.tt/3zYdEcJ