I had to look at Mike's koan again, and I just thought I'd 'play' with it a
little...and test my own reaction. Here goes...
--- On Mon, 21/3/11, mike brown <[email protected]> wrote:
Fa-yen asked the monk Hsüan-tzu why he had never asked him any questions about
Zen.
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MEL: Huh?
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The monk explained that he had already attained his understanding from another
master.
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MEL:.....*Mel just had a seizure*.....
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Pressed by Fa-yen for an explanation, the monk said that when he had asked his
teacher, “What is the Buddha?”
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MEL:...a very odd question.....dualistically-speaking...
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he had received the answer, “Ping-ting T’ung-tzu comes for fire!”
“A good answer!” said Fa-yen. “But I’m sure you don’t understand it.”
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MEL: A very, very good answer indeed....but in which one's reply must be coming
from the BigMind, and not just to appear wise...ahem...I'd prefer to use the
phrase..THINKING WITH A CLEAR HEAD..
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“Ping-ting,” explained the monk, “is the god of fire. For him to be seeking
fire is like myself, seeking the Buddha. I’m the Buddha already, and no asking
is needed.”
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MEL: Ouch!!! How dare you, little monk?!
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“Just as I thought!” laughed Fa-yen. “You didn’t get it.”
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MEL:...*smiles*....
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The monk was so offended that he left the monastery, but later repented of
himself and returned, humbly requesting instruction.
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MEL:..Ah, yes...I've had my tantrums here in the big modern city life as well,
but I got over it..
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“You ask me,” said Fa-yen.
“What is the Buddha?” inquired the monk.
“Ping-ting T’ung-tzu comes for fire!”
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MEL: Better
in Buddha's grace
Mel
