Book of Serenity 44

199
Book of Serenity (Shoyoroku, Congrong Lu) #44
Xingyang P's Garuda Bird

Personnel and Date

• XINGYANG Qingpou (Kôyô Seibô, 968?-1025?, 17th gen), disciple of Dayang Jingxuan (943-1027)
Date guess: ca. 1018

Wansong's Introduction (Sato)

A lion strikes an elephant, the Garuda[1] knocks down a dragon.
Even flying creatures and running animals distinguish between lord and subject;
Patch-robed monks should learn to tell between guest and host.
But how could you judge a person who dares to defy the heavenly authority?

[1] A giant bird in the ancient Indian mythology, who also eats dragons (Sato).

Case (Wick)

A monk said to Qingpou of Xingyang, "A dragon-king leaves the ocean, and heaven and earth are calm. Meet him face to face and then what?"
The master replied, "The Garuda attains the universe. At such a time, who would dare stick his head out?"
The monk countered, "When the head sticks out, then what?"
Xingyang answered, "It's like a falcon seizing a dove. If you don't understand, check in front of the balcony and know the truth."
The monk then said, "Well then, I clasp my hands on my chest and retreat three steps."
And Xingyang remarked, "Blind turtle pinned under Sumeru. Don't get hit on the forehead and scarred again!"

Hongzhi's Verse (Wick)

The imperial order descends; the general's order disperses.
Within the fortress, the emperor; outside the walls, the general.
Thunder doesn't wait for the astonished bugs to crawl out.
You'll never know the wind has stopped the flowing clouds.
The looms lower warp is continuous and golden needle and jeweled thread are naturally there.
Plain and vast before sealing, originally there's no ideograph, or worm hole.

Sturmer's Verse

Before he could defile
the young princess
the Raja's pleasure boat
was demolished
by rogue elephants.
As vultures circled overhead
a silver turban disappeared
beneath the muddy waves.

KOAN INDEX
Hotetsu's Verses on Koans