Don’t get between Joshu and his tea

I’m very tired today. This no tea thing is for the birds.

So let’s just look at the case:

A monk said, "If you say a word, if you raise your hand or move your foot, you are caught in my net. Now, detached from all these [words and gestures], Master, say something."

Joshu said, "I ate my meal, but I haven't had my tea yet."

Boy Joshu, I feel you. In fact—I’m sitting here not having had tea, and people keep responding to my comments, and expecting answers—just as if they are unaware of the fact that I haven’t had tea.

Silly.

That’s no way to run a Zen community.

If I bump into a neighbor they’d be able to tell. “Oh shit? Did you miss tea today? Have aliens invaded?”

That’s how I know Joshu was surrounded by a bunch of slacker monks. Never paying attention.

“Joshu’s between his meal and tea—anyone could see that.”

—observant monks, instead of the ones he got

Because Joshu’s monks? Can hardly tell what’s real—let alone important.

Anyway, I filmed ya a 10 minute comment on the case earlier, when I was out on my walk—and the activity was occupying my body, and saying and even doing a few things.

Nothing fancy. No hijinx. No grand views. Just a few comments on the case.

I like how the monk just detaches him from words and gestures—and in that state Joshu’s body just offers its baseline comment.

And that’s how see what Zen Masters were really getting up to.

A Box of Crackerjack with No Prize

—Linseed

Submitted March 10, 2022 at 08:17AM by lin_seed https://ift.tt/7Izd3Dj