Secrets of the Blue Cliff Record: Zen Comments by Hakuin and Tenkei by Thomas Cleary

Author:Thomas Cleary [Cleary, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Published: 2013-09-09T22:00:00+00:00

VERSE

Wild ducks—who knows how many?

Seeing the approach, Baso had a conversation,

Telling all about the clouds on the mountains and the moon over the sea.

Still not understanding, flying off instead,

As he tried to fly away, in the end he was held still.

Speak, speak!

[HAKUIN] Wild ducks—The “wild ducks” are Buddha, “Buddha” is the wild ducks. Who knows how many? Here, there, and everywhere, they are innumerable. Seeing the approach, Baso—He had a conversation with Hyakujo after having seen into the depths of his mind. Telling all about the clouds on the mountains and the moon over the sea—He poured out his heart and guts. This line comes from the poetry of Zengetsu. Still not understanding, flying off instead—Even though Baso told everything, Hyakujo didn’t understand; it was he who flew away, not the ducks. As he tried to fly away—Baso grabbed him by the nose just as he was about the fly off. Speak, speak!—This is the marrow of the Ummon school. This is an outstanding piece of work on the part of Setcho.

[TENKEI] Are these wild ducks many or few? How many know? Probably not many. Today there are only Baso and Hyakujo who have been able to discuss the matter this way. But even though he opened up and told all about his recollections of the mountains and seas, Hyakujo still didn’t understand and instead spoke of flying away. Seeing Hyakujo about to fly off, just at the point of danger where he was about to take flight, Baso held him still. By now Setcho has settled the case according to the facts, so then with his usual wave he turns around and says Speak, speak! Right at this very moment, say something besides “Ouch.” Cutting off abruptly with this challenge is Setcho’s way of helping people, turning and shifting freely where there is no way forward or backward. This is a wave of the river of Zen, with which Setcho helps people out of benevolent concern.

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