I alone am the Honored One

[Zamurito]

~

A monk asked Joshu (Chao-chou), of the T'ang Dynasty: "It is stated that the Perfect Way knows no difficulties, only that it abhors discrimination. What is meant by No-discrimination?"

Joshu said, "Above the heavens and below the heavens, I alone am the Honored One."

The monk suggested, "Still discrimination."

The master's retort was, "O this worthless fellow! Where is the discrimination?"

By discrimination the Zen masters mean what we have when we refuse to accept Reality as it is or in its suchness, for we then reflect on it and analyze it into concepts, going on with intellection and finally landing on a circulatory reasoning. Joshu's affirmation is a final one and allows no equivocation, no argumentation. We have simply to take it as it stands and remain satisfied with it. In case we somehow fail to do this, we just leave it alone, and go somewhere else to seek our own enlightenment. The monk could not see where Joshu was, and he went further on and remarked, "This is still a discrimination!" The discrimination in point of fact is on the monk's side and not on Joshu's. Hence "the Honored One" now turns into "a worthless fellow."

As is said, the phrase "All in One and One in All" is not to be analyzed first to the concepts "One" and "All," and the preposition is not then to be put between them; no discrimination is to be exercised here, but one is just to accept it and abide with it, which is really no-abiding at all. There is nothing further to do. Hence the master's striking or calling names. He is not indignant, nor is he short-tempered, but he wishes thereby to help his disciples out of the pit which they have dug themselves. No amount of argument avails here, no verbal persuasion. Only the master knows how to turn them away from a logical impasse and how to open a new way for them; let them, therefore, simply follow him. By following him they all come back to their Original Home.

[Gonzo]

I believe there are two different topics here. First, there is a koan from The Blue Cliff Record, volume one, case two, titled "The Ultimate Path is Without Difficulty". Supposedly the words "I alone am the honored one" were spoken by Gautama when he was born.

http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhistholidays/a/buddhabirthday.htm

From my translation, the koan is presented thus:

Chao Chou, teaching the assembly, said, "The Ultimate Path is without difficulty; just avoid picking and choosing." As soon as there are words spoken, "this is picking and choosing," "this is clarity." This old monk does not abide within clarity; do you still preserve anything or not?"

At that time a certain monk asked, "Since you do not abide within clarity, what do you preserve?"

Chao Chou replied, "I don't know either."

The monk said, "Since you don't know, Teacher, why do you nevertheless say that you do not abide within clarity?"

Chao Chou said, "It is enough to ask about the matter; bow and withdraw."

To me, this is one of the more obscure koans in the whole book, and the commentary doesn't help much.

The second topic, Gautama's statement, I believe may be interpreted otherwise, rather than taken at face value as the link indicates (a proclamation of his extraordinary future). And that is, it seems possible to me anyone achieving the totality of self (i.e enlightenment) may say the same thing, and it's not egoistic...it's a rather stunning realization of being.

[Zamurito]

~

"Chao Chou, teaching the assembly, said, "The Ultimate Path is without difficulty; just avoid picking and choosing.""

Gonzo:

I believe there are two different topics here. First... Two different, thus picking and choosing.

From my translation...Picking and choosing, as yet another source may have been used to provide the information.

To me, this is one of the more obscure koans...Another relative statement, picking and choosing as to what is 'obscure' and what is not.

The second topic, Gautama's statement, I believe......Belief is ALL picking and choosing.

[Gonzo]

Well, shit...guess I'm not on the Ultimate Path then...came to a Y and I took it.

[Zamurito]

Well, shit...guess I'm not on the Ultimate Path then...came to a Y and I took it.

When you get to the fork in the road, take it.....