When Linji was about to pass away, Sansheng was the head of the monastery. Linji addressed him, saying, “After I depart from this world, you must not let my True Dharma Eye be extinguished.” Sansheng replied, “How could I ever let the Master’s True Dharma Eye be extinguished?” Linji asked, “If someone suddenly asks you about it, what will you say?” Sansheng gave a shout. Linji said, “Who would have thought that my true Dharma Eye would vanish with this blind donkey?”
Student: “What did Linji mean by saying that his True Dharma Eye would vanish with this blind donkey?”
Master: “Why do you still have his True Dharma Eye that vanished then?”
Commentary:
What can vanish is not the True Dharma Eye.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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