Blue Cliff Record 7

175
Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku, Biyan Lu) #7
Fayan's "You Are Huichao"

Personnel

• FAYAN Wenyi (Hogen Buneki, 885-958, 15th gen), disciple of Luohan "Dizang" Guichen
• Guizong "Huichao" Cezhen (Kisu "Echo" Sakushin, d. 979, 16th gen), disciple of Fayan Wenyi

Yuanwu's Introduction (Sato)

The one phrase before the voice cannot be transmitted, even by the thousand holy sages.
If you haven't become familiar with it personally, it is as if you were three thousand worlds away from it.
Even if you have attained what is before the voice, and cut off the tongues of all people under heaven, you are still not that bright.
Therefore, it is said: The heaven cannot cover it, the earth cannot hold it, empty space cannot contain it, the sun and moon cannot illuminate it.
When you call yourself the only Honored One in the Buddha-less place, then for the first time you are touching it a little.
If you haven't reached this stage yet, you must thoroughly realize it by the tip of a hair and emit a great light; in all directions, you must be completely free concerning the Dharma.
Then, no matter what you take up, there will be nothing that is unfitting.
But just tell me, by attaining what can you become so extraordinary?
Again I say: does everyone understand?
No one knows the sweat of the steeds in the past; the epoch-making victory must be well discussed once more.
Leaving aside the present matter for a moment, what about Xuedou's koan?
See the writing below.

Case (Sekida)

A monk said to Fayan, "My name is Huichao. I ask you, what is the Buddha?"
Fayan said, "You are Huichao."[1]

[1] "Huichao" means "Surpassing wisdom."

Xuedou's Verse (Sekida)

In the land of the river,
Faintly stirring, the gentle breeze of spring.
Far away, deep among blossoms,
The partridge sings.

Ascending the falls,
The carp became a dragon,
Yet still, by night,
Fools fish for him below.

KOAN INDEX
Hotetsu's Verses on Koans