The Wisdom of the Zen Masters by Irmgard Schloegl

Author:Irmgard Schloegl [Schloegl, Irmgard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Directions
Published: 2015-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

STORIES AND SAYINGS

* I *

IN THE Chinese capital of Ch’ang-an there lived an eminent Confucian scholar. He was a gentleman of nearly eighty, and was said to have no equal in his profound learning and understanding of the teachings of Master Kung. Then a persistent rumour arose that deep down in the barbarian south a new doctrine had sprung up that was even deeper than his. The old gentleman found this intolerable and decided that the issue had to be settled one way or the other. And since there was nobody of his own depth of understanding whom he could send, he decided in spite of his age to set out himself. After months of hardship on the road, he arrived at his destination, introduced himself, told the purpose of his visit, and suggested that they should each set forth their teaching and understanding. Then, as two gentlemen, they could decide between themselves whose was the more profound system. His host, who was a Master of the new Zen school, agreed and motioned his visitor to start. It took the old gentleman quite a while to outline his teaching and to elucidate his points. His host listened without one word of interruption. At last the visitor came to an end and asked his host now to proceed with his teachings. But the Zen Master merely quoted: ‘To avoid doing evil, to do as much good as possible, this is the teaching of all the Buddhas.’ On hearing this, the Confucian gentleman flared up: ‘I have come here in spite of the dangers and hazards of such a long and rough journey and in spite of my advanced age. I have honourably told you of my purpose. As agreed, I have shown you the profound teachings, and have held nothing back. And you just quote a little jingle that every three-year-old child knows by heart! Are you mocking me?’ But the Zen Master replied: ‘I am not mocking you. Please consider that though it is true that every three-year-old knows this verse, yet even a man of eighty fails to live up to it!’

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