Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings (116 page)

A monk said to Zen master Jiufeng Qin, “I ask the master to reveal an expedient method to enter the Way.”

Jiufeng said, “The Buddha does not fight against people’s wishes.”

The monk said, “Thank you, Master, for this expedient.”

Jiufeng said, “You still earn blows from the staff!”

Zen master Jiufeng entered the hall and addressed the monks, saying, “No matter if you talk until you’re blue in the face, or say ‘Hey!’ a thousand times, or shout ten thousand times. Why is it that the temple pillar still won’t acknowledge you?”

After a long pause, Jiufeng said, “Delicious food doesn’t satisfy the hungry.”

He then got down from the Dharma seat.

XUEDOU CHONGXIAN, “MINGJUE”

XUEDOU CHONGXIAN (980–1052) was a disciple of Zhimen Guangzuo. Xuedou came from Suining (near the modern city of Tongnan in Sichuan Province). Born into a prominent and wealthy family, the young man possessed extraordinary skills as a scholar. Determined to leave secular life and enter the Buddhist priesthood, he entered the Pu’an Monastery in Yizhou (near modern Chengdu City), where he studied the Buddhist scriptures under a teacher named Renxian.

Xuedou was recognized as an adept in both Buddhist and non-Buddhist disciplines. After receiving ordination he traveled to ancient Fuzhou (near the modern city of Tianmen in Hubei Province), where he studied under Zhimen Guangzuo. After five years Xuedou received Zhimen’s seal as an heir of the Yunmen lineage. Xuedou later lived at the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou and Cuifeng Temple in Suzhou before finally taking up residence on Mt. Xuedou (near modern Ningbo City in Zhejiang Province).

Xuedou compiled the hundred kōans that are the core of the
Blue Cliff Record
, the well-known Zen text later annotated by Zen master Yuanwu Keqin.

Xuedou’s grand style of teaching rejuvenated the Yunmen lineage. The prominent Zen master Tianyi Yihuai was among his eighty-four disciples.

When he began studying with Zhimen, Xuedou put forth the question, “Before a single thought arises, can what is said be wrong?”

Zhimen summoned Xuedou to come forward. Xuedou did so. Zhimen suddenly struck Xuedou in the mouth with his whisk. Xuedou began to speak but Zhimen hit him again. Xuedou suddenly experienced enlightenment. He first assumed the abbacy at Cuiyan. He later moved to Xuedou.

Upon first entering the hall as abbot, but before ascending the seat, Xuedou looked out over the assembly and said, “If I’m to speak about coming face-to-face with the fundamental principle, then there’s no need to ascend the Dharma seat.”

He then used his hand to draw a picture in the air and said, “All of you follow this old mountain monk’s hand and see! Here are innumerable buddha lands appearing before you all at once. All of you look carefully. If you are on the river bank and still don’t know, don’t avoid moving mud and carrying water.” He then ascended the seat.

The head monk struck the gavel. A monk came forward to speak. Xuedou told him to stop and go back, and then said, “
The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye
of the tathagatas is manifested before us today. In its illumination even a piece of tile is radiant. When it is obscured, even pure gold loses its luster. In my hand is the scepter of authority. It will now kill and give life. If you are an accomplished adept in the practice of our school, then come forward and gain authentication!”

The monk came forward and said, “Far from the ancestral seat at Cuifeng, now expounding at Xuedou, do you still not know if it’s one or if it’s two?”

Xuedou said, “A horse cannot beat the wind for a thousand miles.”

The monk said, “In that case, the clouds disperse and the clear moon is above the households.”

Xuedou said, “A dragon-headed, snake-tailed fellow.”
¹⁵⁸

A monk came forward, bowed, and then rose to ask, “Master, please respond.”

Xuedou then hit him.

The monk said, “Can’t you offer an expedient method?”

Xuedou said, “Don’t make the same mistake again.”

Another monk came forward, bowed, and then said, “Master, please respond.”

Xuedou said, “Two important cases.”

The monk said, “Master, please don’t respond.”

Xuedou then hit him.

A monk asked, “What is ‘blowing feather sword’?”

Xuedou said, “Arduous!”

The monk said, “Will you allow me to use it?”

Xuedou said, “Ssshhh! If you’re going to ask questions before the entire assembly, you should have attained being a true person. If you don’t have instantaneous vision, then there’s no use in asking questions. Thus it is said that, ‘It’s like a great bonfire. If you walk too close to it the portals of your face will be burned away.’ Or it’s like the great Taia Jeweled Sword. Whoever encounters it loses his body and life.
¹⁵⁹
When you take the Taia sword in your hand, the ancestral hall becomes cold, and in every direction for ten thousand miles all mental activity must cease. Don’t wait until you see the glimmer of the sword! Look! Look!”

Xuedou then got down from the seat and left the hall.

A monk came forward and bowed.

Xuedou said, “Monks of the congregation! Remember this monk’s
huatou
!”