seeking the truth

Quotes and quips from The Blue Cliff Record

Moderator: Gonzo

seeking the truth

Postby Gonzo on Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:42 am

Beware of seeking the Truth by others;
Further and further he retreats from you;
Alone I go now all by myself
And I meet him everywhere I turn.
He is no other than myself
And yet I am not he.

When thus understood,
I am face to face with Tathata.

This is such a fine statement. In a sense it puts a lie to those who would state their beliefs are sacred, are absolute, come from on high, etc. "Beware..." especially when the shit is floated as gospel.

Think for thyself, schmuck...
Is that so?
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Re: seeking the truth

Postby Gonzo on Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:32 am

The more talking and thinking the farther from the truth.
Sure is entertaining, though.
Is that so?
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Re: seeking the truth

Postby Mornings Sun on Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:52 pm

Reminds me of Rinzai's person of no rank that comes and goes
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Re: seeking the truth

Postby Gonzo on Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:16 am

Mornings Sun wrote:Reminds me of Rinzai's person of no rank that comes and goes

What's the story?
Is that so?
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Re: seeking the truth

Postby Mornings Sun on Fri Feb 19, 2010 10:31 am

3. From the High Seat, the master said: "Upon the lump of red
flesh there is a True Man of no Status8 who ceaselessly goes out
and in through the gates of your face. Those who have not yet
recognized him, look out, look out!"
A monk came forward and asked: "What is the True Man of no
Status?" 8.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Flesh stands for heart. Everybody in the Chinese hierarchy had "his place"
designated, at least culturally and ethically if not directly. Hence a "True man
of no Status" is free from all bonds — and also inconceivable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The master descended from the meditation cushion, 9) grabbed
(the monk) and said: "Speak, speak!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Same as High Seat — (The raised seat in the Dharma Hall from which a
master taught, or was available for questioners. Phrases like "to take the
High Seat," or "from the High Seat," etc., refer to these formal assemblies.).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The monk hesitated. The master released him and said: "What a
shit-stick 10) this True Man of no Status is!" Then he withdrew to
his quarters.
-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Various translations, and reams of commentary exist for this remark.
Idiomatically perhaps something like "what a mess ..." would render it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Re: seeking the truth

Postby Gonzo on Sat Feb 20, 2010 6:39 am

"Shit stick" will suffice.
Is that so?
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