AMA and an embedded case

1) Where have you just come from? What are the teachings of your lineage, the content of its practice, and a record that attests to it? What is fundamental to understand this teaching?

Came to zen looking for answers around 3 years ago; thankfully never found any.

If I had a lineage, teaching, or practice, I wouldn't have a lineage, teaching, or practice.

The only fundamental is you.

2) What's your text? What text, personal experience, quote from a master, or story from zen lore best reflects your understanding of the essence of zen?

Blue Cliff Record #1: The Highest Meaning of the Holy Truths

Emperor Wu of Liang asked the great master Bodhidharma, "What is the highest meaning of the holy truths?" Bodhidharma said, "Empty, without holiness." The Emperor said, "Who is facing me?" Bodhidharma replied, "I don't know." The Emperor did not understand. After this Bodhidharma crossed the Yangtse River and came to the kingdom of Wei.

There's a reason this is the first case in the book.

'Empty, without holiness.' — What a precedent!

And I love this 'I don't know.' It's just pure, natural. I don't know. There's nothing gained, nothing lost. I don't know. He's not reaching for anything, nor giving anything up. I don't know. There's an innocent sincerity there, a sort of secure insecurity, but even that's saying too much. There are no if buts or maybes, there's no advance, no retreat, no orders given, no orders taken. Just a clear, wide open, expansive, I don't know.

Try tearing that down!

3) Dharma low tides? What do you suggest as a course of action for a student wading through a "dharma low-tide"? What do you do when it's like pulling teeth to read, bow, chant, sit, or post on r/zen?

Drown.

Submitted February 26, 2022 at 05:48PM by Arhanlarash https://ift.tt/h1tu4ws