The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza by John Daido Loori

Author:John Daido Loori [Loori, John Daido]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Wisdom Publications
Published: 2005-06-10T04:00:00+00:00

NANYUE POLISHES A TILE

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John Daido Loori

MASTER DOGEN’S 300 KOAN SHOBOGENZO, CASE 8

Main Case

ZEN MASTER MAZU DAOYI was an attendant to Nanyue and personally received the mind-seal from him, exceeding his peers. Before that, he lived in Kaiyuan Monastery and did zazen all day long. Knowing that Mazu was a Dharma vessel, Nanyue went to him and asked, “Great monastic, what do you intend by doing zazen?” (1)

Mazu said, “I am intending to be a buddha.” (2)

Nanyue picked up a brick and started polishing it. (3)

Mazu said, “What are you doing?” (4)

Nanyue said, “I am trying to make a mirror.” (5)

Mazu said, “How can you make a mirror by polishing a brick?” (6)

Nanyue said, “How can you become a buddha by doing zazen?” (7)

Mazu said, “What do you mean by that?” (8)

Nanyue said, “Think about driving a cart. When it stops moving, do you whip the cart or the horse?”

Mazu said nothing.

Nanyue said, “Do you want to practice sitting Zen or sitting Buddha? If you understand sitting Zen, you will know that Zen is not about sitting or lying down. (9) If you want to learn sitting Buddha, know that sitting Buddha is without any fixed form. (10) Do not use discrimination in the nonabiding Dharma. If you practice sitting as Buddha, you must kill Buddha. (11) If you are attached to the sitting form, you are not yet mastering the essential principle.” (12)

Mazu heard this admonition and felt as if he had tasted sweet nectar.

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