Seccho - a. Commentary.
The great Tang Dynasty Zen Master Seccho left us a message that clearly illustrates his perfect understanding of Zazen. He had it nailed. This translation is taken from “The Manual of Zen Buddhism” written by Professor D.T.Suzuki D Lit.
“Blind, deaf, dumb,
(No input from his senses.)
Infinitely beyond the imaginative contrivances.
(No input from memory or other intellectual activities. Together - no conscious mental activity.)
Encompassing all possible heavens.
(Originally translated as “above the heavens and below the heavens” but this puts him outside the heavens when ,clearly, he considers himself to be inside . It is a reasonable assumption that (In the Tang Dynasty) this was the convention for “ brackets” which validates the version I have chosen.)
How ludicrous, how disheartening.
(Here we have the lament of the consummate intellectual. He had expected a transcendental elevation of mind to some superior plain . Instead he is disappointed to find that it is the temporary end of all mental activity. As far as I am aware, this last sentence sets him apart from most Masters who do not express any resentment of this fact and makes him the one who impresses me most.)
What life can compare with this?
(Then he assesses his position and accepts that in spite of the negative implications, no life can be better.)
Sitting alone quietly by the window, I observe the leaves fall and the flowers bloom.”
(He no longer needs to become blind, deaf and dumb to get the benefits of Zazen. His mind is clear of random and habitual thoughts. He has the great treasure of Zen - profound peace-of-mind - while watching the leaves fall and the flowers bloom. It is important to notice that he has not retreated into the void to get the benefit of his practice. It is with him during every waking moment.)
Do you understand or not?
(Does he mean: “Do you understand his message?”
The answer is: “Hopefully.”
Or does he mean: “Do you do any “understanding” in zazen?”
The answer is: “Never.”)
An iron bar without a hole.”
(No matter how you think of that iron bar, you envisage it with a hole - welded up, filed flat and polished to invisibility – but still there. So it is with “mind without thought”. He demonstrates the great problem in zazen. The meditator must acquire the knack of abstaining from thinking (CMA) while remaining alert and aware - that’s not easy. But practice (and guidance from your teacher) makes perfect!
Colin
The great Tang Dynasty Zen Master Seccho left us a message that clearly illustrates his perfect understanding of Zazen. He had it nailed. This translation is taken from “The Manual of Zen Buddhism” written by Professor D.T.Suzuki D Lit.
“Blind, deaf, dumb,
(No input from his senses.)
Infinitely beyond the imaginative contrivances.
(No input from memory or other intellectual activities. Together - no conscious mental activity.)
Encompassing all possible heavens.
(Originally translated as “above the heavens and below the heavens” but this puts him outside the heavens when ,clearly, he considers himself to be inside . It is a reasonable assumption that (In the Tang Dynasty) this was the convention for “ brackets” which validates the version I have chosen.)
How ludicrous, how disheartening.
(Here we have the lament of the consummate intellectual. He had expected a transcendental elevation of mind to some superior plain . Instead he is disappointed to find that it is the temporary end of all mental activity. As far as I am aware, this last sentence sets him apart from most Masters who do not express any resentment of this fact and makes him the one who impresses me most.)
What life can compare with this?
(Then he assesses his position and accepts that in spite of the negative implications, no life can be better.)
Sitting alone quietly by the window, I observe the leaves fall and the flowers bloom.”
(He no longer needs to become blind, deaf and dumb to get the benefits of Zazen. His mind is clear of random and habitual thoughts. He has the great treasure of Zen - profound peace-of-mind - while watching the leaves fall and the flowers bloom. It is important to notice that he has not retreated into the void to get the benefit of his practice. It is with him during every waking moment.)
Do you understand or not?
(Does he mean: “Do you understand his message?”
The answer is: “Hopefully.”
Or does he mean: “Do you do any “understanding” in zazen?”
The answer is: “Never.”)
An iron bar without a hole.”
(No matter how you think of that iron bar, you envisage it with a hole - welded up, filed flat and polished to invisibility – but still there. So it is with “mind without thought”. He demonstrates the great problem in zazen. The meditator must acquire the knack of abstaining from thinking (CMA) while remaining alert and aware - that’s not easy. But practice (and guidance from your teacher) makes perfect!
Colin
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