Caoshan’s Bell Sound

Hearing the sound of a bell, Caoshan said, “Ouch! Ouch!”

A monastic said, “Master, what is it?”

Caoshan said, “It struck my mind.”

Student: “What did Caoshan mean by, ‘It struck my mind’?”

Master: “It struck your mind as well.”

Student: “Then, why don’t I feel pain as Caoshan did?”

Master: “That’s why you are a patient.”

Commentary:

Patients who suffer from phantom pain without distinguishing it from true pain are sentient beings.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

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