Shishuang’s “This Side and That Side”

Shishuang’s “This Side and That Side”

One day, Shishuang Chuyuan said to his attendant monastic, “Daowu once said to a monastic, ‘Do not discard that side to get to this side.’ How do you understand this?”
The attendant monastic said, “It’s the same as your understanding, Master.”
Shishuang said, “What is my understanding?”
The attendant monastic walked from west to east and stood there.
Shishuang said, “You have just discarded that side to get to this side.”

Student: “How can I not discard that side to get to this side?”
Master: “Don’t make that side and this side.”
Student: “How can I not make them?”
Master: “Stop making them now.”
Student: “I am not making them now. How can I stop it?”
Master: “Asking is making them.”

Commentary:
Don’t try in vain to realise what air is by forsaking wind.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

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