Wednesday, November 21, 2012

sayings and comment 3

"On the Buddha's birthday, as he sprang from his mother's side, I hit him once and killed him, and feed him to a hungry dog.  The whole world was at peace."  (Yun-Men, Chinese Zen Master)




COMMENT:

This blatant, cold, cruel statement startles us.  It is beyond our imagination that such a cruel, action and such a confession in a unremorseful tone could ever be conceived within the mind of a human being.  To stoke the outrage more, lets put the statement closer to home, "If you see the Christ along the side of the road, kill the Christ and bring peace to the world"

The above saying is typical of Zen teaching, making straight forward, outrageous statements, leading the student to see through the outrageous to a more clear spiritual meaning.  In line with this indirect method of teaching, is what is called a "koan."  It is a mind puzzle, usually nonsensical, but made to appear rational, i.e. "You know the sound of two hands clapping.  What is the sound of one hand clapping?"  (I am kind of sorry for giving you the koan, because I expect some of you may be up all night trying to figure it out.)

Gautama the Buddha is recorded as saying, "Be lamps unto yourself."  This simple statement opens the door to understanding Yun-Men's saying.  The Buddha did not mean that, physical you is the intellectual light that can enlighten and liberate you.  His meaning was based upon his enlightenment.  He knew that there is a non-modifying consciousness, that remains unaffected and pure throughout our varying interactions with the physical, sensual, mental, and spiritual planes of our being.

This non-modifying consciousness can not be defined, for Its essence lies beyond duality, and abides within the realm of infinity.  We humans, consciously stuck in duality, can only reason by measuring and judging one thing or condition against another thing or condition.  However, our essential core of being is pure consciousness.  We are a Spark of the Infinite; we are It and It is us.

It is this Spark of Infinity that the Buddha meant when he said, "Be lamps unto yourself."  This Spark is where all truth and wisdom resides.  If we are aware and connected with It, we need no doctrines, teachings, rituals, ceremonies.  It is the Light of lights.

Yun-Men is referring to the same Spark of Infinity.  His meaning is, do not become attached to the spiritual master who speaks universal or non-modifying truths; don't let the master become the object of worship, for such attachment only keeps us in the consciousness of duality.

Become your infinite Self by directing your consciousness towards devotion to the universal truths the masters represent.

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