Changqing once said, “I would rather say that arhats have three types of poison than say that the Buddha has two kinds of expression. It is not that the Buddha has no expression. It is just that he does not have two kinds of expression.”
Baofu asked, “What is the Buddha’s expression?”
Changqing asked, “How can a deaf person hear it?”
Baofu said, “I knew you were speaking on a secondary level.”
Changqing said, “Then what is the Buddha’s expression?”
Baofu said, “Have a cup of tea.”
Student: “Why doesn’t Buddha have two kinds of expression?”
Master: “Because there is only one kind and nothing else.”
Student: “Why can’t I hear it?”
Master: “Because you are not deaf.”
Student: “Why do you say so? Master Changqing said that a deaf person cannot hear it.”
Master: “He also said that the Buddha never has two kinds of expression.”
Student: “What is the Buddha’s expression?”
Master: “Arhats have three types of poison and Buddha has two kinds of expression.”
Commentary:
Whatever vessels seawater is put in, it tastes salty.
©Boo Ahm
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