Treasury of the Eye of True Teaching #149
Penetrating the Great Matter
Master Gushan said to an assembly,
If you have not yet mastered the great task, and have not tapped the artery of the source, avidly memorizing words and phrases is making a living in conceptual consciousness. Haven't you read the saying, 'Conception is a robber; consciousness makes waves in which everyone is drowned, without any freedom.' 1
If you have not yet penetrated the great matter, it's best to stop, ceasing all striving, so body and mind are simple and serene. Refrain from fixation at all times, and the matter will actually be easily revealed. 2
This is something I say to you by way of encouragement, just because I have no choice. The ancients called it medicine for a dead horse. If it is a realized individual, talking to someone this way is like talking in your sleep. 3
Now what about you - can you actually use a single word from the twelve-part teachings? Can you actually use a single phrase from the sayings of the adepts? If it is the twelve-part teachings, which teaching are you in? If it is the sayings of the adepts, in what saying will we find you? 4
Therefore it is said that the twelve-part teachings cannot express it, ordinary and sacred cannot contain it, the passage of time cannot move it, verbal expression cannot cover it. 5
Talk like this is generally for people who've gotten their heads stuck in doctrine, to free them up; but if you talk this way to someone who's never given a hint of that, he'll grab you and ask why you're babbling nonsense - and you can't blame him. 6
You must be very discerning. Do not fail to distinguish the auspicious from the ominous. If anyone can distinguish, come forth and demonstrate it. 7
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NOTES FROM AN 🦉
1.) The first barrier to penetrating this great matter is simply this, seeing beyond one’s self. The admonitions against the conceptualizations of this great matter is a thread that trails throughout Zen thought. The error of conceptualization is one of mistaken identity - and it is precisely this that is the delusion of the masses.
They do not see what it is, they see what they imagine it to be. There is only the superimposition of their own ideas and beliefs over the unstained wasteland of reality. The bright mirror always shows the truth, and people mistake the truth of what they conceive with the truth of what is shown.
2.) Who wants to know? Gushan speaks of mountains to the people of the plains, talks of water to those dying of thirst. It’s impossible to drink his words.
3.) Sleep talk indeed. Telling stories of the harsh winters you’ve seen keeps children enthralled late into the night, but what good does it do to talk of the deep numbing cold, the way goosebumps form and your hair stands on end. They’ll only know it when they feel it.
4.) Bah, look at this will o’ the wisp, it’s been moments since he’s offered directions for safe passage, and already he leads you astray. A true adept, he looks for those who can pass through without getting stuck.
5.) is this medicine or poison he spews? If you have some faculties, tell me what he’s talking about.
6.) Medicine and Poison do not differ, they are only distinguished as such in the patient. Look at the subtlety of Gushan’s medicine! It makes the realized and unrealized shout, “What are you saying?!” Only a special fellow can swallow this and smile.
7.) Who can demonstrate their understanding here? Explain the principle behind distinguishment in accord with the understanding of not two. No need to rush, one by one.
Afterword
What a fun case to explore, and of course I have to thank Ewk for the inspiration. I found his koan of the week delightful and poignant. It drives home the point - After all, why are we even here? What is it that draws such an eclectic crowd of disparate people together, to one small corner of the internet?
In the grand tapestry of reality, what exactly has snarled all of our threads together, entangling our collective interest? It’s precisely this “Great Matter” that Dongshan and Gushan refer to.
The poignancy of this is that not all who are interested in this matter will understand it, and if you understand it what is there to say?
After all, who can speak on this? Whatever you say it is, isn’t it. And yet It is.
And the truth is, if you think you understand something, if for a moment you feel you’ve grasped onto it, you’ve lost it. That’s how quickly you’ve displayed your ignorance, unreservedly revealing your ignominy like the village idiot.
So why is there this distinction of those who understand and those who do not? Why this lingering sadness for those who just don’t get it? What about that is so hellish? What is there to get anyways?
After all we are already winners. There is no enlightenment to be had, beyond that which is inherent to our nature. There is no freedom to be realized beyond that which is already manifest.
Yunmen has already told you. Every day is a good day. What magic spell exists that could supplant that?
Take care of yourselves friends.
Submitted February 28, 2022 at 07:15PM by UExis https://ift.tt/TWAmCue
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