When Sukdu visited Master Hangsa, Hangsa asked him, “Where are you from?” Sukdu said, “I am from Jogae.” Hangsa, raising a cup, said, “Is there a thing like this in Jogae?” Sukdu answered, “Not only does it not exist in Jogae, but it doesn’t exist in India.” Hangsa said, “Have you been to India?” Sukdu responded, “If I had been there, it would exist.” Hangsa said, “That is not yet it. Speak again.” Sukdu said, “You must not leave it all to me. You, too, should say half a word.” Hangsa said, “I don’t mind speaking to you, but I fear that in the future there will be no one who understands.”
Student: “What did Hangsa mean by ‘I don’t mind speaking to you, but I fear that in the future there will be no one who understands’?”
Master: “Do you understand what Hangsa said?”
Student: “He refused to say because he feared that there would be no one who understood in the future.”
Master: “I can understand why he refused to say when I see you.”
Commentary:
Don’t turn a deaf ear to the ceaseless dharma talk that the Buddha delivers.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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