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G'day folks
I'm looking for the source of chop wood carry water.
My searching of forums has failed miserably so some direction would be grateful.
Gassho
Onka
STLAH
G'day folks
I'm looking for the source of chop wood carry water.
My searching of forums has failed miserably so some direction would be grateful.
Gassho
Onka
STLAH
I believe that the original source (pun intended) is the semi-legendary "Layman Pang." who with his family and especially his daughter, are symbols of enlightenment while remaining in lay life:
One day [Master] Shih-t’ou said, “I’ve come to visit you. What have you been doing?”
The Layman said, “If you’re asking what I do every day, there’s nothing to say about it.”
Shih-t’ou said, “What did you think you were doing before I asked you about it?”
The Layman made up a verse:
What I do every day
Is nothing special:
I simply stumble around.
What I do is not thought out,
Where I go is unplanned.
No matter who tries to leave their mark,
The hills and dales are not impressed.
Collecting firewood and carrying water
Are prayers that reach the gods.
Shih-t'ou approved, saying, “So, are you going to wear black or white? [Black robes were worn by monks, and white robes were worn by laypeople, so the question is whether he would remain a lay householder or ordain.]
The Layman said, ''I will do whatever is best.”
It came to pass that he never shaved his head to join the sangha.
I remember different story versions of a novice asking a monk what to do before enlightenment and what to do after enlightenment. He received this as an answer for both questions.
I don't know if this is the source, but there is this quote, attributed to Layman P'ang (740-808):
“My daily activities are not unusual,
I’m just naturally in harmony with them.
Grasping nothing, discarding nothing.
In every place there’s no hindrance, no conflict.
My supernatural power and marvelous activity:
Drawing water and chopping wood.”
I remember different story versions of a novice asking a monk what to do before enlightenment and what to do after enlightenment. He received this as an answer for both questions.
I don't know if this is the source, but there is this quote, attributed to Layman P'ang (740-808):
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.
Yes, that is just a different translation, by a Zen teacher who made some "Green" Koans with a particularly environmentalist flavor.
CASE #36: P’ang Splits Wood Layman P’ang wrote: My daily activities are not unusual, I’m just naturally in harmony with them. Grasping nothing,
Gassho, J
STLah
That's interesting, I read this article and there is actually a suggestion that this saying is sort of a Zen excuse for not being more actively involved in engaged Buddhism (is that what is meant by "green" Koans?) Sometimes maybe the best wood chopping and water carrying for a Mahayana Buddhist is doing whatever is in front of us that might help another...
I think this is what Jakuden was referring to from the article
COMMENTARY:“Drawing water, chopping wood.” Arguably, today these are nothing more than a kind of Zen cliché—a way of hiding from the reality P’ang called “daily activity,” rather than a way of living in the midst of it.
I’ve never thought of “chopping wood and carrying water” as an excuse. I’ve always thought of it in the context of “getting on with life”.
Before Enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.
After Enlightenment, chop wood and carry water
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