The Dharma that I expound is different from that of all others. Should even Manjushri or Samantabhadra appear before me and inquire about the Dharma, I should quickly see through what he means as soon as he says, “Let me ask you.” I sit calmly and, when followers of the Way come and seek interviews with me, I see them through all. How do I do this? My seeing is different. In the outside world I do not hold on to either the worldly or the sacred; and inside, I do not stick to the original position. It is because I make no mistakes and have no doubt by seeing through everything clearly.
Commentary:
‘The Dharma that I expound is different from that of all others’ means that his teaching is different from that of all others who deliver doctrinal teachings based on literal explanation. As Master Rinzai can see everything as it is, he is never deluded not only by the illusion of Manjushri or Samantabhadra but also by that of Buddha. That’s why he can see through them upon seeing them even before they finish asking their questions.
‘In the outside world I do not hold on to either the worldly or the sacred’ means that he is never deluded by the illusions of what meet his eyes and ears since he can see them as empty. ‘I do not stick to the original position’ implies that he is not attached to the original position as well which means Emptiness, the true-Self since he is aware that the original position is none other than he himself. In ‘I make no mistakes and have no doubt by seeing though everything clearly’, here ‘make no mistake’ means not to be deluded by illusions, ‘have no doubt’ means to be enlightened and ‘seeing through everything’ is to see everything as empty.
Student: “What will you do if Buddha comes to you?”
Master: “Are you still in touch with such a secular being?”
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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