Zen master Sengmi of Shenshan crossed a river with his dharma brother Dongshan. Dongshan said, “Don’t make a mistake with your steps and slip into the current.” Shenshan said, “If I make a mistake with my steps, then I won’t live to cross the river.” Dongshan said, “What is the state without mistakes?” Shenshan said, “Crossing the river with the elder.”
Student: “What is the state without mistakes?”
Master: “You can walk through the current without your shoes getting wet.”
Student: “Do you mean that you can walk across a deep river without a raft, or a boat?”
Master: “Why are you getting farther into the current?”
Commentary:
Sentient beings are drowned in the current of their own creation.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 