When Namchun visited Bakjang, Bakjang asked him, “Is there any Dharma that has not been spoken by any sages since ancient times?” Namchun said, “Yes, there is.” Bakjang said, “What is the Dharma that has not been uttered?” Namchun said, “It is not mind, not Buddha, and not four holy Truths.” Bakjang remarked, “You have already said it.” Namchun said, “That is how I see it. How is it for you, Master?” Bakjang said, “I am not a great Zen master. How could I know whether there is something to say, or not?” Namchun said, “I don’t understand.” Bakjang said, “I’ve already said too much to you.”
Student: “Why did Bakjang say, ‘I’ve already said too much to you’ although he had already said that he didn’t know whether there was something to say, or not because he was not a great Zen master?”
Master: “The master never wastes any words.”
Commentary:
Spring never says that it is coming, but we know it by seeing trees budding.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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