Sayings of Nanquan 2.1-12

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Part 12: Where to Go

曰。若不因善知識指示。The Monk said, "If [one] does not follow [the way] pointed out by Noble Friends,
無以得會。[they are] without a means to understand [which way to go].
如和尚每言。As the esteemed monk often says,
修行須解始得。'Devotion to [the Eye of Buddha's True Teaching,]¹ must [first be] comprehend. Only then [is one] ready [to walk the Path].
若不解。即落他因果。If [one] does not comprehend [true devotion], he then falls into cause and effect.'
無自由分。Without one's own grounds to distinguish [right from wrong],
未審如何修行。[we have] not yet examined how [one could] 'devote themself'
即免落他因果。and thereby avoid falling into cause and effect."

師曰。更不要商量。The Master said, "Don't discuss it further.
若論修行。何處不去得。If [we] speak of devoting ourselves to [the Eye of Buddha's True Teaching,] where can [we] not go?"

曰。如何去得。The monk asked, "How can [one] get there?"

師曰。你不可逐背尋得。The Master said, "You cannot seek it by chasing after it."

曰。和尚未說。The monk said, "The esteemed monk has not yet explained [how one should seek it].
教某甲作麼生尋。Instruct someone how to go about seeking [for it]."

師曰。縱說。何處覓去。The Master said, "Even if I explained, where [would you] go look for it?
且如你從旦至夜。Moreover, even if from dawn until night you
忽東行西行。suddenly traveled East or traveled West,
你尚不商量。you would still be unable to discuss
道去得不得。the way [one] 'can go' or 'cannot [go]'.
別人不可知得你。Other people cannot inform you."

曰。當東行西行總不思量。是否。The Monk asked, "When traveling East or traveling West, [should one] always not ponder [where to go]? Yes or no?"

師曰。恁麼時。誰道是不是。The Master said, "At such a time, who could say what is 'right' or 'not right'?"

Notes:
1. 修行 (devotion to [the Eye of Buddha's True Teaching]) The phrase 修行 is literally something like "cultivation behavior" and bears the connotation of devoting oneself to a practice, but also particularly to become a Buddhist or Taoist monk. According to the Zen tradition, Buddha entrusted the Eye of his True Teaching to Mahakasyapa, and on down the line of Zen Patriarchs and Masters all the way to Nanquan, so here it seems fitting to elaborate on what exactly is being referred to in this context.

Submitted March 26, 2023 at 07:39PM by Surska0 https://ift.tt/XWBCKUL