This is the introduction to the 49th case from Wansong’s Book of Serenity,
It can’t be depicted, can’t be drawn—Puhua just turned a flip, Longya just showed half his body. Ultimately, who is in what state?
Wansong starts us off on this case by talking about how the Zen teaching can't be depicted or drawn. When his teacher asked him about it, Puhua did a somersault as illustrated in the 386th case in the Treasury,
When Panshan was about to pass away, he said to the community, "Can anyone depict my likeness?" Some of the group drew portraits of him and presented them, but none were found suitable. Then Puhua came forth and said, "I can depict the master's true likeness." Panshan said, "Show me." Puhua did a somersault and left. Panshan said, "Where will this little pisser get a grip on craziness?"
As to what Longya's "half-body" (半身) even is I have no idea. If anybody has some info about what Wansong is referring to here, I'd be very interested in hearing about it.
Submitted March 22, 2023 at 07:38PM by astroemi https://ift.tt/rY1Kq3G
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