Sat Aug 30

"When our plans crumble and there seems to be nothing left, it is only by completely surrendering to what is that we can realize that what is left is more than enough."
- Ezra Bayda & Josh Bartok

Saturday Zen Service, Aug 30: 10:00am - 11:45am.

Koan of the Week
Gateless Gate #32: "A Non-Buddhist Questions Buddha"

Case:
A non-Buddhist in all earnestness asked the World-Honored One, "I do not ask about words, I do not ask about no-words."
The World-Honored One just sat still.
The non-Buddhist praised him, saying, "The world-Honored One in his benevolence and great mercy has opened the clouds of my delusion and enable me to enter the Way."
Then, bowing, he took his leave.
Ananda asked Buddha, "What did the non-Buddhist realize that made him praise you so much?"
The World-Honored One replied, "He is just a fine horse that runs even at the shadow of a whip."

Mumon's Commentary:
Ananda is Buddha's disciple, but his realization is less than the non-Buddhist's. Now tell me, how far is the distance between the non-Buddhist and Buddha's disciple?

Verse:
Walking on the edge of a sword,
Running over a ridge of jagged ice;
Not using steps or ladders,
Jumping from the cliff with hands free.