Once a master delivered a dharma talk at a special Buddhist service where his mother was present. On the high seat the master stripped himself of his clothes, becoming completely naked. All the attendees, including his mother, were embarrassed and left the place in a hurry. Then, the master said to his mother who was leaving, “When I was young, you hugged and kissed me all the time. Why are you avoiding me now even though I am still the same son that you loved?”
Student: “Why did the master take off all his clothes?”
Master: “He showed them what they wanted to see.”
Student: “Why did they run away when they saw him stripping himself?”
Master: “Because they couldn’t see what he showed to them.”
Student: “What was it that he showed to them?”
Master: “We are also showing each other now.”
Student: “What is it?”
Master: “I’ll tell it tomorrow.”
Commentary:
What the master showed can’t be hidden and is not different from what you see now.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
Zen Fools 