Linji’s “Blind Ass”
When Linji was about to pass away, he entrusted Sansheng, saying, “After I pass away, do not allow my treasury of true dharma to perish.”
Sansheng said, “Master, how could I have your treasury of the dharma perish?”
Linji said, “Later, when someone asks about my teaching, how will you answer them?”
Sansheng shouted.
Linji said, “Who would think that my treasury of the dharma would perish with this blind ass?”
Student: “Why did Linji say that his treasury of the dharma would perish with his student?”
Master: “Because Sansheng broke it.”
Commentary:
What can be killed is not the Buddha.
If you kill Buddha who can be killed, you will see the true Buddha.
What perishes is not the treasury of the dharma.
If you break the perishable treasury of the dharma, you will get the true treasury of the dharma.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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