Transcript Zen Buddhism - Cirencester College

Zen Buddhism
Master Rinzai:
Excerpts from the
Lin-ji lu
1: From Burton Watson’s translation
A monk asked, ‘What is the basic meaning
of Buddhism?’
The Master gave a shout.
The monk bowed low.
The Master said, ‘This fine monk is the
kind who’s worth talking to!’
2. From Burton Watson’s translation
The master instructed the group, saying:
‘Followers of the Way, the Dharma of the
Buddhas calls for no special undertakings.
Just act ordinary, without trying to do
anything particular. Move your bowels,
piss, get dressed, eat your rice, and if you
get tired, then lie down.’
3. From Burton Watson’s translation
‘Fellow-believers, you rush around
frantically one place and another - what
are you looking for, trampling till the
soles of your feet are squashed flat?
There is no Buddha to be sought, no Way
to be carried out, no Dharma to be
gained.’
4. From Burton Watson’s translation
The Master ascended the hall and said,
‘Here in this lump of red flesh there is a
True Man with no rank. Constantly he
goes in and out of the gates of your face.
If there are any of you who don’t know
this for a fact, then look! Look!
4 Con’td
At that time there was a monk who came forward
and asked, ‘What is he like - the True Man with
no rank?’
The Master got down from his chair, seized hold
of the monk and said, ‘Speak! Speak!’
The monk was about to say something,
whereupon the Master let go of him, shoved
him away, and said ‘True Man with no rank what a shitty ass-wiper!’
The Master then returned to his quarters.
5. From Burton Watson’s translation
‘Followers of the Way, you take the words
that come out of the mouths of a bunch of
old teachers to be a description of the true
Way…The really good friend is someone
who dares to speak ill of the Buddha, speak
ill of the patriarchs, pass judgment on
anyone in the world, throw away the
Tripitaka, … and in the midst of opposition
and assent search out the real person...
5. Cont’d
… Followers of the Way, here and there you
hear it said that there is a Way to be
practised, a Dharma to become enlightened
to. Will you tell me then just what Dharma
there is to become enlightened to, what Way
there is to practice? In your present
activities, what is it you lack?… A man of
old said… ‘The everyday mind - that is the
Way.’’