“The Master, addressing the assembly, said, “Brothers, it is the beginning of autumn, and the end of summer. You may go east or west, but you should go only to a place where there is not a single inch of grass for ten thousand li.” After pausing for a while he asked, “How does one go to a place where there is not a single inch of grass for ten thousand li?”
Later this was related to Shih-shuang, who said, “Why didn’t someone say, ‘As soon as one goes out the door, there is grass’?”
The Master, hearing of this response, said, “Within the country of the Great T’ang such a man is rare.”
-The Record of Tung-Shan
- Credits: Image – NatGeo. Quote: zenwritings.com
- Related Zen Post: Who Binds You?
We are mentally blind. Aren’t we?
I can’t speak for “we.” But yes, for me, yes. 🙂
I surely am 🙂
Deep. Way deep
Laughing. It is…
Wow, David, it is the beginning of autumn and the end of spring…and you may go east or west, but you should go only to a place where there is not a single cookie. You are so close!
Laughing. I haven’t stepped on the scale this morning (yet). I’m not optimistic. No exercise for 2 days. And dessert explosion last night. We’ll see. I can’t break through 200. Stuck.
Reblogged this on photographyofnia.
I’ll read it again in a week
🙂
I can’t help but look up more Tung Shan’s teachings – how about this conversation between the monks and him: A monk inquired, “How does one escape hot and cold?” Tung Shan retorted, “Why not go where it is neither hot nor cold?” When the monk asked what place that was, Tung Shan confided, “When it’s cold, you freeze to death; when it’s hot, you swelter to death.” Taigen Dan Leighton interpretation: one should go inside and find a place devoid of emotional heat or uncaring dullness (my work for the rest of the year :-))
Loved it Marianne! 🙂