Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings (50 page)

Eleventh Generation

LINJI YIXUAN, “HUIZHAO”

LINJI YIXUAN (d. 866) was a disciple of Huangbo Xiyun. Linji is a preeminent figure in the history of Zen. He came from the city of Nanhua in ancient Caozhou (now the city of Dongming in Shandong Province). As the founder of the Linji school of Zen (in Japanese,
Rinzai)
, his tradition remains, along with the Caodong school, as one of the two lineages that survive to the present day.

After taking the vows of a monk, Linji studied the sutras, the Vinaya, and the various doctrines that were carried on the currents of Buddhism in his era. Although he practiced under Guishan Lingyou, his enlightenment came about under Huangbo Xiyun, with the teacher Gao’an Dayu a key player in the drama.

The lamp records provide this account of Linji’s enlightenment:

From the beginning of his residence at Huangbo, Linji’s performance of his duties was exemplary. At that time, Muzhou Daoming served as head monk.

Muzhou asked Linji, “How long have you been practicing here?”

Linji said, “Three years.”

Muzhou said, “Have you gone for an interview with the master or not?”

Linji said, “I haven’t done so. I don’t know what to ask him.”

Muzhou said, “Why not ask him, ‘What is the essential meaning of Buddhism?’”

So Linji went to see Huangbo, but before he could finish his question Huangbo struck him.

Linji went out, and Muzhou asked him, “What happened when you asked him?”

Linji said, “Before I could get the words out he hit me. I don’t understand.”

Muzhou said, “Go ask him again.”

So Linji asked Huangbo again, and Huangbo once again hit him. Linji asked a third time, and Huangbo hit him again.

Linji revealed this to Muzhou, saying, “Before you urged me to ask about the Dharma, but all I got was a beating. Because of evil karmic hindrances I’m not able to comprehend the essential mystery. So, today I’m going to leave here.”

Muzhou said, “If you’re going to leave, you must say goodbye to the master.”

Linji bowed and went off.

Muzhou then went to Huangbo and said, “That monk who asked you the questions—although he’s young he’s very extraordinary. If he comes to say goodbye to you please give him appropriate instruction. Later he’ll become a great tree under which everyone on earth will find refreshing shade.”

The next day when Linji came to say goodbye to Huangbo, Huangbo said, “You don’t need to go somewhere else. Just go over to the Gao’an Monastery and practice with Dayu. He’ll explain it to you.”

When Linji reached Dayu, Dayu said, “Where have you come from?”

Linji said, “From Huangbo.”

Dayu said, “What did Huangbo say?”

Linji said, “Three times I asked him about the essential doctrine and three times I got hit. I don’t know if I made some error or not.”

Dayu said, “Huangbo has old grandmotherly affection and endures all this difficulty for your sake—and here you are asking whether you’ve made some error or not!”

Upon hearing these words Linji was awakened.

Linji then said, “Actually, Huangbo’s Dharma is not so great.”

Dayu grabbed him and said, “Why you little bed-wetter! You just came and said you don’t understand. But now you say there’s not so much to Huangbo’s teaching. What do you see? Speak! Speak!”

Linji then hit Dayu on his side three times.

Dayu let go of him, saying: “Your teacher is Huangbo. I’ve got nothing to do with it.”

Linji then left Dayu and returned to Huangbo.

Huangbo saw him and said, “This fellow who’s coming and going. How can he ever stop?”

Linji said, “Only through grandmotherly concern.”

Linji then bowed and stood in front of Huangbo.

Huangbo said, “Who has gone and returned?”

Linji said, “Yesterday I received the master’s compassionate instruction. Today I went and practiced at Dayu’s.”

Huangbo said, “What did Dayu say?”

Linji then recounted his meeting with Dayu.

Huangbo said, “That old fellow Dayu talks too much! Next time I see him I’ll give him a painful swat!”

Linji said, “Why wait until later, here’s a swat right now!”

Linji then hit Huangbo.

Huangbo yelled, “This crazy fellow has come here and grabbed the tiger’s whiskers!”

Linji shouted.

Huangbo then yelled to his attendant, “Take this crazy man to the practice hall!”

One day, Linji was sleeping in the monks’ hall. Huangbo came in and, seeing Linji lying there, struck the floor with his staff. Linji woke up and lifted his head. Seeing Huangbo standing there, he then put his head down and went back to sleep. Huangbo struck the floor again and walked to the upper section of the hall. Huangbo then saw the head monk, who was sitting in meditation.

Huangbo said, “There’s someone down below who is sitting in meditation. What do you imagine you’re doing?”

The head monk said, “What’s going on with this old fellow?” (Guishan recounted this story to Yangshan, saying, “Just like old Huangbo! What was his meaning?” Yangshan said, “Two bettors, one race.”)

Huangbo entered the kitchen and asked the cook, “What are you doing?”

The cook said, “Selecting rice for the monks’ meal.”

Huangbo said, “How much do they eat in one meal?”

The cook said, “Two and a half stone [one hundred fifty kilos].”

Huangbo said, “Isn’t that too much?”

The cook said, “I’m afraid it’s not enough!”

Huangbo hit him.

The cook related this event to Linji. Linji said, “I’ll check out the old fellow for you.”

Linji then went and stood in attendance for Huangbo.

Huangbo brought up his conversation with the cook. Linji said, “The cook doesn’t understand. Please, Master, say a turning phrase on his behalf.”

Huangbo said, “You ask it.”

Linji said, “Isn’t that too much?”

Huangbo said, “Tomorrow, have another meal.”

Linji said, “Why say ‘tomorrow’? Have a meal right now!” And so saying he hit Huangbo.

Huangbo yelled, “This crazy man has come in here and grabbed the tiger’s whiskers again!”

Linji shouted and went out.

(Guishan brought up this case to Yangshan, asking, “What was the idea behind these two worthies?” Yangshan said, “What do you think, Master?” Guishan said, “When raising a child you learn a father’s compassion.” Yang-shan said “No, it’s not like that.” Guishan said, “What do you say?” Yang-shan said, “It’s like enticing a thief to destroy the house.”)

Linji went to visit Bodhidharma’s stupa. The caretaker there said, “Will you first bow to the Buddha, or will you first bow to the First Ancestor?”

Linji said, “I don’t bow to either one.”

The caretaker said, “How did the Buddha and First Ancestor offend you?”

Linji shook his sleeves and left.

Linji said, “There’s a type of student who goes to Mt. Wutai to seek out Manjushri. That student has already made a mistake! There’s no Manjushri at Mt. Wutai. Do you want to know Manjushri? It’s just what is in front of your eyes! From first to last it’s not anything else. Don’t doubt it anywhere you go! It’s the living Manjushri!”

When Linji was about to die he sat upright and said, “After I’m gone, my
Treasury of the True Dharma Eye
cannot be destroyed.”