One day, Zen master Baizhang Niepan spoke to the congregation, saying, “If all of you go and till the field, then I’ll lecture on the great meaning.”
When the monks had finished plowing the field they returned and asked the master to expound on the great meaning.
Niepan held up his hands before the monks.
The monks were dumbfounded.
—————
Baizhang Weizheng (Niepan) of Hongzhao said to the monks, “If you clear a new rice paddy for me, I will explain to you the Great Principle.”
After clearing the new paddy, the monks returned and asked the master to explain the Great Principle. The master held out his two hands. 1
- Baizhang indicates that there was nothing to impart, outside of the monks’ act of clearing the paddy itself.
NOTES FROM AN🦉
Such is the nature of a gobbler of dregs. Will you wait until the day grows long and the sun begins to set? When your back begins to ache and your hands curl from hard labor? Will you wait until the work is finished, everything is over and only the long night remains before you? When will you understand? What are waiting for, the year of the donkey? Only night remains, will you see it in a dream?
This case quite tickled my fancy. What a master Baizhang is, he shows us what awaits those who hang upon the words of another. Simply wake up and realize for yourself, no one can plow the field for you.
Unless you’re Baizhang, then you can con an unwitting group of monks into it.
Submitted March 14, 2022 at 08:06PM by Owlsdoom https://ift.tt/W7ZOeL9
No comments:
Post a Comment