The Method of No-Method by Sheng Yen

Author:Sheng Yen
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: Penguin Random House LLC (Publisher Services)

Right here—at this pivotal axle,

opening the swinging gate and clearing the way—

it is able to respond effortlessly to circumstances,

the great function is free from hindrances.

This passage does not translate well into English. I will try to explain the nuances. First, we should not understand pivotal axle (Chin., shu ji) as one particular point. Think of it as the crucial function in a mechanism that makes the whole thing work. The emphasis should be on the crucial function—in this case, of Silent Illumination in practice. When this function is active, the swinging gate opens and the illuminated mind responds to circumstances without effort. Of course, there is no gate that literally opens; it is a metaphor for something dynamic and agile—a free, responsive kind of gateway to the function of wisdom. On the basis of that pivotal point, the function of wisdom can freely open up as something very alive and very dynamic.

Maybe I can make it clearer by using the analogy of a revolving door, which spins on a central axis. The axis of a revolving door makes it possible for people to push on the door and pass through a wall. So in this sense, we could also say that the illumination aspect in Silent Illumination acts like a pivotal axle that opens up the function of wisdom. Yet this wondrous functioning of wisdom does not involve effort. Just like in a revolving door, the axis turns on its pivot point, but it is the people pushing the door that makes it function.

The text says: it is able to respond effortlessly to circumstances, the great function is free from hindrances. This function of wisdom, or illumination, responds to the needs of people and to circumstances. Yet there is no self-conscious effort to help people; rather it is very spontaneous. Someone needs help? It responds. Push it this way and it leans the other way. We swing the other way? It follows. This function of wisdom responds appropriately according to other people’s needs. It is like that revolving door—the axis itself makes no effort to revolve, but because of its function, the door is able to revolve. However much effort individuals exert in pushing that door, the axis responds appropriately. Wisdom works like this—perfect accord between circumstance and response.

Ordinary people with self-attachment and self-centeredness would not perceive the pivot point as still. They will say, “Look! When I push, it moves! See?” Of course, when you push, it moves, and when you don’t push, it doesn’t move. The axis just responds to your pushing. So it is with the functioning of wisdom in enlightened practitioners—from a still center it merely responds to what is required in a situation. One time, a disciple said to me, “Shifu, you know, when you get angry, you really get angry.” I said, “Of course, that’s because you folks make me angry.” [Laughter] But it’s not that simple. The question is, when you see me act in an angry manner, is my mind also angry?

Once, when I visited a monastery in Taiwan, a deranged intruder threatened people with a knife.

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