Dongshan asked a visiting monastic, “Where have you been?” The monastic said, “I have visited a mountain.” Dongshan said, “Did you get to the top of the mountain?” The monastic said, “Yes, I did.” Dongshan said, “Was there anyone on top of the mountain?” The monastic said, “There was no one there.” Dongshan said, “You did not get to the top of the mountain.” The monastic said, “If I hadn’t, how would I know that there was no one there?” Dongshan said, “Reverend, why don’t you stay here for a while?” The monastic said, “It’s not that I mind staying. It’s just that there is someone in India who may not approve it.” Dongshan said, “I have my suspicions about this fellow.”
Student: “Who was someone in India who might not approve the monastic’s staying?”
Master: “He is here now, too.”
Student: “Why isn’t he seen?”
Master: “You are to blame.”
Commentary:
It is not because he hides himself but because we don’t recognise him that we don’t see him.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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