In a dream Kyozan went to Maitreya’s Pure Land and sat in the third seat.

In a dream Kyozan went to Maitreya’s Pure Land and sat in the third seat.

In a dream Kyozan went to Maitreya’s Pure Land and sat in the third seat. A monk there beat the gavel and said, “Today the one in the third seat will give a sermon.” Kyozan arose, hit the gavel and said, “The truth of Mahayana is beyond any verbal expression! Listen, listen!”

Student: “Why did Kyozan hit the gavel and say, ‘Listen, listen!’ when he was asked to give a sermon in his dream?”
Master: “Listen and you will understand what he meant.”
Student: “He hit the gavel in his dream long ago. How can I listen to it now?”
Master: “How can you ask me about what happened in his dream long ago if you can’t listen to it?”
Student: “What happens if I listen to it?”
Master: “You come to awaken from your dream.”

Commentary:
Don’t mistake his showing the true-Self for telling an account of a dream.
Why do you divide Oneness into reality and dream?

©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

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