Sat Nov 22

"Practice allows us to diiscover that our happiness is not dependent on any of the things we once thought so crucial."
- Barry Magid

Saturday Zen Service, Nov 15: 10:00am - 11:45am.

Koan of the Week
Gateless Gate #9: "Daitsû Chishô"

Case:
Once a monk earnestly asked Master Rang of Xingyang, "Daitsû Chishô Buddha [The Buddha Capable of Great Penetrating Knowledge] sat in the meditation hall for ten kalpas, but the Dharma of the Buddha did not manifest itself and he could not attain Buddhahood. Why was this?"
Master Rang replied, "Your question is reasonable indeed."
The monk said, "He sat in zazen in the meditation hall. Why did he not attain Buddhahood?"
Rang replied, "Because he is a non-attained Buddha."

Wumen's Commentary:
I approve the old barbarian's realization, but I don't approve the old barbarian's understanding. When an ordinary person has realized it, he is a saint. If a saint understands it, he is nothing but an ordinary person.

Wumen's Verse:
Far better than realizing the body is to realize the mind and be at peace.
If the mind is realized, there is no anxiety about the body;
If both body and mind are completely realized,
A holy hermit does not wish to be appointed lord.