When you chop an earthworm into two pieces
Changsha was once asked by Emperor’s Secretary Du, “When you chop an earthworm into two pieces, both pieces keep moving. I wonder, in which piece is the Buddha nature?”
Changsha said, “Don’t have illusory thoughts.”
Du said, “How are we to understand that they are both moving?”
Changsha said, “Understand that water and fire are not yet separated.”
Student: “How should I understand that water and fire are not separated?”
Master: “The sky and the earth are from the same root.”
Commentary:
An answer is from where a question is from.
What are they like before they are a question and an answer?
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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