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SHÔYÔROKU (Book of Equanimity) CASE 35 Instruction: Speedy action and swift speech shatter the assault of non-Buddhists as well as of the heavenly devil. A master of surpassing caliber, transcending even the principle of his own school, condescends to help a student of excellent aspiration and of the sharpest wisdom. What if you meet a fellow who never turns his head even if he gets hit with a stick? Case: Presenting: Rakuho came to Kassan and without bowing stood facing him. Kassan said, “A chicken dwells in the phoenix nest. It's not of the same class. Go away.” Rakuho said, “I have come from far away, hearing much about you. Please, Master, I beg you to guide me.” Kassan said, “Before my eyes there is no you, and here there is no old monk.” Rakuho shouted, “Kaatzu!” Kassan said, “Stop it, stop it. Don't be so careless and hasty. Clouds and the moon are the same; valleys and mountains are different from each other. It is not difficult to cut off the tongues of the people under heaven. But how can you make a tongueless person speak?” 6 Rakuho’s Obeisance By YAMADA Ryôun
Rakuho said nothing. Kassan hit him. With this, Rakuho started to obey Kassan. Verse: The red-tailed carp shakes its head and wags its tail; Totally independent, he knows how to act in complete agility. Even if he possesses the art to cut off tongues, He is pulled by the nose and led to real freedom. Outside the window screen, in the luminous night, wind and moon are like day; In front of the withered tree, blossoms and grass are in eternal spring. O, a tongueless person, tongueless person! How fitting is the one phrase – a full manifestation of the absolute command. As he walks alone in his sovereign realm, all is perfectly clear. Well then, – let people under heaven be merry and enjoy themselves! On the Instruction: Speedy action and swift speech shatter the assault of non-Buddhists as well as of heavenly demons. This describes the manner in which a Zen master guides a student, which is the main theme of the present koan. When an accomplished master guides a student, his responses to the moves of the latter are quick, and his words are so swift and sharp that they can shatter any attack of non-Buddhists and heavenly demons. “Non-Buddhists” or literally “those outside of the way” is an expression that was originally used for all systems of thought outside of Buddhism. In contrast to those “outside of the way,” Buddhists were called “those inside the way.” In India of the 5-6th century BCE there were said to be 95 kinds of “Non-Buddhists.” Especially mentioned among them were the so-called “Six teachers outside the Path” – namely the six founders of Indian schools of thought who were famous and widely respected. Later, the meaning of the word “outside the Path ” came to mean “that which is opposed to the truth,” “heresy” or “one who propagates heresies.” “Heavenly devil” refers to the Devil King, the Lord of the sixth heaven, the world 7
Page 2 and 3: ― …………………………
Page 4 and 5: Opening Comments: YAMADA Ryôun Wor
Page 8 and 9: of heaven populated by beings witho
Page 10 and 11: To say it clearly and exactly, Kass
Page 12 and 13: palace made of gold, silver and jad
Page 14 and 15: view. However, to cling to the worl
Page 16 and 17: awakening through the mental concen
Page 18 and 19: Yôka Daishi says, "The great eleph
Page 20 and 21: intrinsic nature, the true fact. In
Page 22 and 23: Thoughts of Gratitude on the 100 th
Page 24 and 25: Report on the New Zendo Site A. The
Page 26 and 27: Cleaning Action at the New Zendo Si
Page 28 and 29: 0 San’un Zendo Zazenkai Dir. by:
Page 30: Editor’s Note: We wish you, dear

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