Dear All,
Marking the New Year, we return to the Koans of the Book of Equanimity. Even though we are near the end of its 100 Koans, feel free to jump in: There is no end or start.
The book by Rev. Wick is lovely, and I recommend it to everyone. However, if you need a copy in the meantime, there is one here (PDF):
Today's Koan is _ Case 97 Emperor Ko's Cap ...
This lesson references several famous meetings between Zen fellows and Emperors, the basic point of all of which is that Zen realization is a treasure richer and more powerful than even what a King possesses.
In the Preface to the Assembly, Bodhidharma famously told an Emperor that all the Emperor's "good works" filled with thoughts of personal gain were ultimately "without merit." Enkan had an eye to "size up" an Emperor even when that Emperor was disguised as a commoner (i.e., could see reality beyond surface appearances, high and low). The lines about "Great peace under heaven (on earth) ... long live the King" and "sun and moon shine softly ... the seasons are in harmony" refer to old stories that basically mean, "everything in the kingdom/world is in its proper place, carrying out its assigned role, and all is in balance and harmony." This reflects old Confucian values based on a belief that, if a ruler is just, all his kingdom will function smoothly and peace will fill the land. But here, it alludes to a Zen perspective something like that all things in the universe are in their own place, carrying out their own proper function in some ultimate peace, balance and harmony.
The Main Case speaks of the Emperor having found a treasure that is beyond ordinary worldly value, thus most people miss its worth. He is speaking, of course, of the treasure found in Enlightenment. The Emperor's pulling on his own hat strings likely signifies, "It is just this, right here." Yet, this "just this, right here" is not limited to this that, here there and everywhere. It is beyond Emperors and Commoner, Sacred or Mundane, Zen Master and Student, and all things, yet is also each and all of them.
The Appreciatory Verse says that this is a treasure that both Zen Master and Emperor share, so cannot be given or taken out. In fact, everyone shares this treasure, even if few realize so. It is not a treasure like jade or gold. This Verse repeats examples of the naturalness of this treasure, in which all things in the universe function like loyal subjects, or sunflowers which naturally turn to face the sun.
Question: Do you feel that Zen Practice may offer some treasures that even Kings and Billionaires cannot know? What might they be?
As the song goes, "diamonds on your timepiece, jet planes, islands ... it don't run in our blood. That kind of luxe just aint for us, we crave a different kind of buzz."
Gassho, J
stlah
Marking the New Year, we return to the Koans of the Book of Equanimity. Even though we are near the end of its 100 Koans, feel free to jump in: There is no end or start.
The book by Rev. Wick is lovely, and I recommend it to everyone. However, if you need a copy in the meantime, there is one here (PDF):
Today's Koan is _ Case 97 Emperor Ko's Cap ...
This lesson references several famous meetings between Zen fellows and Emperors, the basic point of all of which is that Zen realization is a treasure richer and more powerful than even what a King possesses.
In the Preface to the Assembly, Bodhidharma famously told an Emperor that all the Emperor's "good works" filled with thoughts of personal gain were ultimately "without merit." Enkan had an eye to "size up" an Emperor even when that Emperor was disguised as a commoner (i.e., could see reality beyond surface appearances, high and low). The lines about "Great peace under heaven (on earth) ... long live the King" and "sun and moon shine softly ... the seasons are in harmony" refer to old stories that basically mean, "everything in the kingdom/world is in its proper place, carrying out its assigned role, and all is in balance and harmony." This reflects old Confucian values based on a belief that, if a ruler is just, all his kingdom will function smoothly and peace will fill the land. But here, it alludes to a Zen perspective something like that all things in the universe are in their own place, carrying out their own proper function in some ultimate peace, balance and harmony.
The Main Case speaks of the Emperor having found a treasure that is beyond ordinary worldly value, thus most people miss its worth. He is speaking, of course, of the treasure found in Enlightenment. The Emperor's pulling on his own hat strings likely signifies, "It is just this, right here." Yet, this "just this, right here" is not limited to this that, here there and everywhere. It is beyond Emperors and Commoner, Sacred or Mundane, Zen Master and Student, and all things, yet is also each and all of them.
The Appreciatory Verse says that this is a treasure that both Zen Master and Emperor share, so cannot be given or taken out. In fact, everyone shares this treasure, even if few realize so. It is not a treasure like jade or gold. This Verse repeats examples of the naturalness of this treasure, in which all things in the universe function like loyal subjects, or sunflowers which naturally turn to face the sun.
Question: Do you feel that Zen Practice may offer some treasures that even Kings and Billionaires cannot know? What might they be?
As the song goes, "diamonds on your timepiece, jet planes, islands ... it don't run in our blood. That kind of luxe just aint for us, we crave a different kind of buzz."
Gassho, J
stlah
aprapti
The "Maybach" is apparently a model of Mercedes-Benz.
) hybrid that looks kinda like this, but a little dustier (I let the rain do most of the washing, and it has not rained recently) and without the nice girl standing next to it. 
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