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Beyond Words: Zen's Silent Path
The talk delves into Zen teachings emphasizing the transcendence of verbal instruction to grasp the ultimate source. The narrative of Lu Pu serves as a vehicle to explore the paradoxical path of comprehension and enlightenment, illustrating that enlightenment arises from beyond the confines of conventional understanding, manifested through actions and metaphors such as games, fishing, and the symbolic roles of speech.
Referenced Works and Concepts:
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Great Vehicle Teaching: This teaching suggests bodhisattvas should engage with "word images" not to comprehend them literally, but to transcend to an imageless source of understanding, highlighting the importance of contemplation beyond language.
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Saying of the Late Teacher: "Before the eyes there are no things. The mind is before the eyes" represents a Zen aphorism emphasizing perception that transcends physical form, challenging the student to identify the "guest" and "host" within spoken phrases to recognize ultimate truth.
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Chu Yiran's "Leaving the Clamor": The song, articulating a metaphorical expression of isolation and spiritual purity, serves as a historical anecdote illustrating the continuity of Zen themes of solitude and uncompromising integrity.
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Master Ma of Momo Hermitage: This perspective critiques the notion of solitary wisdom, positing that true insight is not held by solitary figures alone but emerges through shared, often unremarkable, insights.
These elements create a complex tapestry exploring the aspirational and paradoxical nature of Zen practice, where spiritual progress is not quantifiable, and the interplay of approval and disapproval signifies deeper existential and philosophical challenges.
AI Suggested Title: Beyond Words: Zen's Silent Path
I heard that Lu Pu encouraged us to grasp the teaching, grasp the source of the teaching, outside the teaching. Encouraged us not to grasp the principle within the words. There is a great vehicle teaching which says that the great vehicle teaching appears to bodhisattvas as word images
[01:06]
They respectfully listen to and look at the word images of the teaching in order to enter the wordless, imageless source of the teaching. They calmly, quietly contemplate the word images of causes and conditions. They joyfully give attention to word images of cause and effect and enter the reality of cause and effect.
[02:35]
When Lu Pu was about to die in the twelfth lunar month he said If I don't die tomorrow, it will be soon after. There's one matter I have, to ask you about. If you approve this, you're putting a head on top of your own. If you disapprove, you're seeking life by cutting off your head.
[03:47]
Thereupon, if you sow said, green mountains are always moving their feet. You don't hang a lamp in broad daylight. Lupu said, what time is this to make such a speech? a certain elder, Yansong, came forth and said, setting aside these two paths, I request the teacher not ask. Lu Pu said, not quite, speak again. Yansong said, I can't say it all.
[05:10]
Lupu said, I don't care if you can say it all or not. Yansong said, I have no attendant. to answer the teacher. That evening, Lu Pu called Elder Yansong and said, your answer today was most reasonable. You should experientially realize the saying of my late teacher. Before the eyes there are no things. The mind is before the eyes.
[06:21]
That is not something before the eyes, not something reached by eyes and ears. Which phrases are guest? Which phrases are host? If you can pick them out, I will impart the robe and bowl to you. Yansong said, I don't understand. Lupu said, you should understand. Jansan said, I really don't. Luthu shouted and said, it's tough, isn't it?
[07:25]
It's tough, isn't it? Or, tough, isn't it? Tough, isn't it? The next day in the In the noon session, a monk came forward and said, Yesterday, what was the teacher's meaning? And Lu Pu said, The boat of compassion is not rowed over pure waters. Over the precipitous straits, it's wasted effort to set out a wooden goose. Hundreds of years later, Tien Tung offered this verse. The bait is clouds.
[08:31]
The hook, the moon. Fishing in the clear waters old in years, alone at heart. He hasn't got a fish yet. One song, leaving the clamor, is dying away. On the Melo River, a solitary sober man Alone in years, old in years, alone at heart, he hasn't got a fish yet.
[09:57]
Some think this means that Lu Pu had no successors. But others say he had eleven successors. And they were all old and alone at heart too. They too didn't get any fish. Master Ma of Momo Hermitage says, the sharp, famous wine of the present and past.
[11:30]
Those intoxicated were all outstanding heroes. The emaciated man by the marsh's edge is not worthy of being considered the only sober one. The emaciated man by the Marsha's edge is not worthy of being considered the only sober one. Chu Yiran composed the song Leaving the Clamor. He served the king of Huey
[12:38]
he served King Hui of Ju as the chief of the royal family. However, he was denounced by Gushan and was demoted and sent to Changsha. He walked alone along the riverside And he told a fisherman, all the world is drunk. I alone am sober. All the world is polluted. I alone am pure. Then he plunged into the river and died. And this river is in the neighborhood of Lupu.
[13:41]
When Lupu was about to die, Yansang hung around half asleep, barely able to play. He really wanted to take a nap, but Lupu invited a game. So he came and played right up to the end. Though Lu Pu went fishing, he didn't get a fraction of a cent. In direct confrontation after all, water and rice didn't mix. If you don't get promoted, then you're free.
[15:01]
Is this story about how bodhisattvas play? Play a game that never ends? It seems to have a beginning. If there's no winners, there's no losers. They only want to keep the game going. To approve is to add a head on top of your own.
[16:55]
To disapprove is seeking life by cutting off your head. How about you? May our intention equally extend to every being and place with the true merit of Buddha's way.
[18:42]
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