A. When Shakyamuni Buddha was at Vulture Peak, he held out a flower to his listeners. Everyone was silent. Only Mahakashyapa broke into a broad smile.
The Buddha said, “I have the True Dharma Eye, the Marvellous Mind of Nirvana, the True Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, independent of words and transmitted beyond doctrine. This I have entrusted to Mahakashyapa.”
Student: “What is the True Dharma the Buddha entrusted to Mahakashyapa?”
Master: “Mahakashyapa broke into a smile.”
Student: “Why did he break into a smile when the Buddha held out a flower?”
Master: “Because he didn’t see the flower.”
Commentary:
Don’t be deluded to think that the Buddha entrusted the True Dharma to Mahakashyapa.
This is not what can be neither entrusted nor taken away.
Don’t be deluded by thinking that the Buddha held out a flower and Mahakashyapa broke into a smile at the flower.
Had he seen the flower, he would not have broken into a smile.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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