Blue Cliff Record 21

197
Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku, Biyan Lu) #21
Zhimen's Lotus Flower and Lotus Leaves

Personnel and Date

• ZHIMEN Guangzuo (Chimon Kôso, 940?-1031, 15th gen) disciple of Xianglin Chengyuan (908-87)
Date guess: ca. 1007

Wansong's Introduction (Sato)

Raising the dharma flag, and presenting the true teaching – this is covering brocade with flowers.
Taking off the muzzle, and unloading the horse's packs – this is the season of great peace.
If you can grasp the transcendent phrase, you understand three when one is raised.
However, if you are not yet that far, listen respectfully to the direction of one of old.

Case (Sekida)

A monk asked Zhimen, "What will the lotus flower be when it has not yet come out of the water?"
Zhimen said, "The lotus flower."
"What about when it is out of the water?"
"The lotus leaves."

Hongzhi's Verse (Sekida)

The lotus leaves! The lotus flower!
He is so kind to tell you of them!
The lfower coming out of the water --
What difference, before or after?
If you wander about, now north of the river, now south of the lake,
Questioning Master Wang and the like,
As one doubt is settled others will arise,
And you will puzzle over question after question.

KOAN INDEX
Hotetsu's Verses on Koans