Case 63 never ends, and so we jump to Case 64, Shisho's Transmission ...
Shishin Wick describes two facets of the Koan, but they are really one. First, some tension between two students, one of whom left to find a new Teacher who rang his bell. I don't feel that is such a big deal. Many many folks come to Treeleaf, for example, and find a home after not feeling it in other Buddhist Communities. Other folks leave here seeking new horizons, because the chemistry is not right for the individual. One size need not fit all.
As the Koan relates as its other theme, there may be a "solitary, manifest body", but Buddhism as in all things manifests in "myriad forms." What transcends and shines through and as even words like "solitary" and "myriad"? This applies to Buddhist Teachings, Teachers and Students as well. Myriad forms or one Truth? Hah!
Notice at the end of the Koan that there is a debate among the witnessing monks on "both sides of the Dharma Hall" taking sides on the issue of "one or many". People naturally have opinions and preferences, even about this Way which supposedly shows how to transcend all views, aversions and attractions.
Even the Koans of the Book of Serenity are obviously not to everyone's taste in pointing to the way beyond and holding all tastes!
Some folks digg them and some not.
That is one reason that I often emphasize to students that the best Sangha or Teacher is often one like here or me, so perfectly imperfect, flawlessly flawed, often quite disappointing in showing the way to eternal satisfaction, just mediocre beyond all measure. If one can come to see through all that, finding the Jewel which shines beyond and right through all human measures of perfection and flaw, finally one may realize one's own expression.
Sometimes one Teacher can help the student realize so as a catalyst, sometimes it takes a different Teacher, in all cases it is up to the Student not the Teacher to discover what Transcends yet Embodies all Students and Teachers!
The "Preface to the Assembly" cites a couple of famous students who began with one Teacher before moving on to another, and highlights how folks branch off to shine in their own way, and thus Buddhism develops into so many variations, like twisting coral or flowers on a branching tree. Many varied fruits and flowers, but perhaps a single vibrant tree holding fruits of all flavors both bitter and sweet and in between ...
In the "Appreciatory Verse", one Buddha brought forth countless, often seemingly conflicting Suttas and Sutras, filled with Teachings and Practices suited to people of different tastes and abilities, as countless as dust. Are they also one or many?
The line about "Dharma Style" and "front garden" probably means something like "it is all right here, no matter how you dress it up and decorate it." The "single moon" shines in every ripple of the river as if broken up yet fully illuminating each and all, and spring is found in every blade of grass amid change. The final reference to "three paths ... still come home" likely a reference to many paths that all lead home, in other words, the many roads all lead to Rome. The old pines and chrysanthemums each have their beautiful fragrance.
So, I don't know if Treeleaf is the right place for you or the wrong place ... and the right or wrong flavor to please your taste. Probably it smells like old milk and tastes like rubber sometimes. But until you can see through all right and wrong places and preferences, will you ever find True Home?
Gassho, J
SatToday
Shishin Wick describes two facets of the Koan, but they are really one. First, some tension between two students, one of whom left to find a new Teacher who rang his bell. I don't feel that is such a big deal. Many many folks come to Treeleaf, for example, and find a home after not feeling it in other Buddhist Communities. Other folks leave here seeking new horizons, because the chemistry is not right for the individual. One size need not fit all.
As the Koan relates as its other theme, there may be a "solitary, manifest body", but Buddhism as in all things manifests in "myriad forms." What transcends and shines through and as even words like "solitary" and "myriad"? This applies to Buddhist Teachings, Teachers and Students as well. Myriad forms or one Truth? Hah!
Notice at the end of the Koan that there is a debate among the witnessing monks on "both sides of the Dharma Hall" taking sides on the issue of "one or many". People naturally have opinions and preferences, even about this Way which supposedly shows how to transcend all views, aversions and attractions.
Even the Koans of the Book of Serenity are obviously not to everyone's taste in pointing to the way beyond and holding all tastes!
Some folks digg them and some not.
That is one reason that I often emphasize to students that the best Sangha or Teacher is often one like here or me, so perfectly imperfect, flawlessly flawed, often quite disappointing in showing the way to eternal satisfaction, just mediocre beyond all measure. If one can come to see through all that, finding the Jewel which shines beyond and right through all human measures of perfection and flaw, finally one may realize one's own expression.
Sometimes one Teacher can help the student realize so as a catalyst, sometimes it takes a different Teacher, in all cases it is up to the Student not the Teacher to discover what Transcends yet Embodies all Students and Teachers!
The "Preface to the Assembly" cites a couple of famous students who began with one Teacher before moving on to another, and highlights how folks branch off to shine in their own way, and thus Buddhism develops into so many variations, like twisting coral or flowers on a branching tree. Many varied fruits and flowers, but perhaps a single vibrant tree holding fruits of all flavors both bitter and sweet and in between ...
In the "Appreciatory Verse", one Buddha brought forth countless, often seemingly conflicting Suttas and Sutras, filled with Teachings and Practices suited to people of different tastes and abilities, as countless as dust. Are they also one or many?
The line about "Dharma Style" and "front garden" probably means something like "it is all right here, no matter how you dress it up and decorate it." The "single moon" shines in every ripple of the river as if broken up yet fully illuminating each and all, and spring is found in every blade of grass amid change. The final reference to "three paths ... still come home" likely a reference to many paths that all lead home, in other words, the many roads all lead to Rome. The old pines and chrysanthemums each have their beautiful fragrance.
So, I don't know if Treeleaf is the right place for you or the wrong place ... and the right or wrong flavor to please your taste. Probably it smells like old milk and tastes like rubber sometimes. But until you can see through all right and wrong places and preferences, will you ever find True Home?
Gassho, J
SatToday
for positive poetry 優婆塞 台 婆
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