Dizang asked a monastic from Baofu Monastery, “How does your master teach the true-Self?” The monastic said, “Once Master Baofu told the assembly, ‘I cover your eyes to let you see what is not seen. I cover your ears to let you hear what is not heard. I restrain your mind to let you give up thinking.’” Dizang said to the monastic, “Let me ask you, ‘When I don’t cover your eyes, what do you see? When I don’t cover your ears, what do you hear? When I don’t restrain your mind, what do you discern?’” Upon hearing these words, the monastic had realisation.
Student: “Why did Master Baofu cover the monk’s eyes and ears?”
Master: “In order to stop him from seeing and hearing what is seen and heard when they are not covered.”
Student: “Why didn’t Dizang cover the monk’s eyes and ears?”
Master: “In order to stop him from seeing and hearing what is seen and heard when they are covered.”
Commentary:
What you should see and hear is what you can’t stop seeing and hearing it even for a moment.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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